So the New York Times thinks more TV stars will be black, but The Root doesn’t think black political reporters will see any advancement. I think both got it right.
Hard as it is to land a TV role, it’s not so hard to make a lead character black. At least, not as hard as landing the plum job of White House reporter. The Root points out that many black reporters made their names covering Jesse Jackson’s presidential run. But that run was never more than symbolic; basically, you send black reporters to cover the civil rights movement, which is the best way to characterize Jackson’s play. But the White House? The press corps there won’t be darkening any time soon. And it shouldn’t. The White House beat should, by rights, go to those who’ve earned it. Which black reporters can, and will do.
