Month May 2013

…Inspiring

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I am not a world traveler. I do not hop on planes without some trepidation. And let’s just say I don’t have a body that makes getting there half the “fun.” But I don’t regret the 6-hour-plus flight that brought me to London or the 80 quid I had to pay for a taxi from the airport after I missed my first flight. It’s all been worth it.

Worth what you ask?

Ah, well. It would take the better part of the week to tell it all. And I don’t think I even have the nuance of vocabulary to say exactly how inspiring this city is. It’s a place that demands its visitors to reflect on their growth and their place in time and space. It is grand and gritty. The city in some ways symbolizes my time as a graduate student at Kent State University, not just in the Global Advertising and Public Relations class, but the entire experience so far. At the highs, I have learned so much about media, myself and the world around me, and at the lows I have scratched and clawed my way through assignments that seemed beyond my capacity. Through it all, I’ve grown.

So, here it is

I put together a video presentation to show you just a few glimpses of London through my camera lens. Enjoy and tell me what you think.

Oh, by the way, I used a little bit of British slang earlier: quid. It’s the same as pound in British currency. Wanna know more about Brit slang, go here.

…Access

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I came to the United Kingdom to ask a somewhat general but complex question: What are the similarities and differences that journalists of color here and in the United States are experiencing in a time of digital disruption and phenomenal fiscal accountability? On this journey of exploration, I spoke recently with two minority members of the U.K.’s 38,000-member National Union of Journalists. 

Voices united in hope 

Kamil Ahmed, May 2013, London: Ahmed Began as an editor at The Sunday Times in August. Here he talks about diversity in British media.
Connie St. Louis, May 2013, London: Connie St. Louis worked for nearly 17 years in BBC radio. Here she discusses diversity in British media.

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Kamil Ahmed is a British-Bengali whose father and mother came separately to the United Kingdom at young ages. Connie St. Louis is a Brit born to parents who immigrated from Jamaica. Despite the different backgrounds of the Asian man and black woman, the lives of these two journalist hold several similarities, and their voices cry out with the same hope for a more diverse industry. Beyond their own past and current experiences, they are cautiously optimistic about increasing diversity among the ranks in British journalism. They believe, however, any change will come in the distant future and with little aide from the industry itself or even from an ever-evolving society or empowered minority groups that, like in America, rose up to demand equality even if the demands would not be fully realized.

Background tells story

One of the commonalities between St. Louis and Ahmed is the push from their parents to excel in education. And post-secondary education for both has made the difference in their lives as journalists. Both believe that it gave them the access through doors that might otherwise be shut to those not a part of the upper-middle class families in England. While St. Louis spends most of her time educating tomorrow’s journalists, her lengthy career in radio for the BBC began during a period when few minorities entered the industry. Ahmed’s ambition led him to seek a job at the The Sunday Times without “knowing” anyone, unlike others who seemingly had connections and were hired there.

Despite the U.K.’s seeming disbelief in institutionalized racism in its journalism industry (and the country), Ahmed and St. Louis both say they know of or have experienced forms of workplace prejudice including hiring practices. Along with their own perceptions, they point to recent studies that show how poorly represented minorities are and a lack of recognition of diversity as an issue or a lack of transparency in how they deal with calls for diversity.

Best opportunity for change

Both journalists say the best chances for more representation of minorities inside the newsrooms of the U.K. are in recruitment of trained and mentored minority youth and thoughtful retention efforts toward experienced minority journalists who would stay, move up the ranks, and facilitate the further hiring of qualified minority journalists.

These two journalists have more to say. I look forward to sharing as much as I can once I’ve gathered more data to balance and round out my ongoing research. Stay tuned.

…LONDON!

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London, you old charmer

My thoughts of London have always been influenced by the almost-fairytale imagery of ornate castles, graceful and noble royalty and a kingdom of people who seemingly loved off-the-wall comedy and highly emotional and dramatic theater, film and television – all with equal fervor. And, frankly, I hope nothing that happens while I’m here completely removes that veil.

I mean, sure, I want to know the “real” London (well, as much as you can know in two weeks). But I’d like at least a few of my youthful imaginings to remain intact, namely the dream of a place so gentile as to be above any petty human failings.

Dose of reality

OK, so there’s a venerable monarch but she’s not astride a white horse doling out pounds. And the Tube (subway train) can be crowded and its riders oblivious.  But what I have found in the short time I’ve been in London are the things I mentioned above and also the things I consider quintessentially British: overcast skies, stylish citizens, warm pubs, avid football fans (soccer for my American audience), eccentric driving, complex streets, a pervasive energy, a fast pace, a melting pot of colonial sons and daughters coming “home,” streets teeming with different languages and a mix of stoicism and contentment.

So much _______, so little time

I could fill in the blank with a great many words: history, architecture, art, construction, outdoor scenery, shopping. I guess it all comes down to one: London. So much London and so little time. I’ve been walking and “Tube-ing” around the city for a few days now. There’s so much to show and tell. Below are just nine out of the dozens of the photos I’ve taken since I’ve been here. If you’re looking for some insight into the out-of-the-way places and views of the London you can rarely see, you might want to check back later. These photos are straight-up nerdy tourist. 

Big Ben and Westminster Abbey from the London Eye
Looking at “Big Ben” under overcast skies. Actually all we see here is Elizabeth Tower and the Great Clock. Big Ben is the name of the Great Bell at Great Britain’s Parliament.
Looking south down the Thames from the London Eye
A view of southeast area of centeral London from the London Eye
Mark Turner with one of the four great lions of Trafalgar Square
More views from the London Eye. This one looks westward.
Mint tea, cannolis, flat bread chicken and red pesto sandwich for lunch next to the Tate Modern.
The machinery and spokes of the London Eye with the Thames in the background.
It wouldn’t be London without fish and chips. The vibrant green substance is mashed peas.

Oh and by the way, I had to tell my mother that there are some folks (Indian) who make southern fried “Perfect Chicken” that rivals the best in the U.S. Surprisingly, she didn’t balk at the comparison, but wondered how I ended up coming all the way to London just to eat fried chicken.