Staff Reports
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) just dropped a bombshell that has left some folks in their feelings: former President Trump is set to grace their convention with his presence, and one high-ranking official has taken her ball and gone home. Karen Attiah, who held the title of co-chairwoman, announced her resignation after the group’s decision to include Trump came off the press. Apparently, it didn’t matter that previous presidents—like Clinton, Bush, and Obama—have all graced the NABJ stage; for Attiah, this was a bridge too far.
Attiah expressed her discontent on social media, lamenting that she was not consulted about Trump’s participation. A seasoned journalist who demands inclusion, she painted a pretty clear picture of being blindsided. Instead of grabbing a microphone and asking the hard-hitting questions, she chose to declare her exit. It’s almost like she missed the memo that journalistic integrity sometimes involves sharing the stage with those who think differently. Who would’ve thought inviting Trump to speak would cause such a stir amongst journalists who profess to thrive on discourse?
I have decided to step down as co- chair from this year’s #NABJ24 convention in Chicago.
To the journalists interviewing Trump, I wish them the best of luck.
For everyone else, I’m looking forward to meeting and reconnecting with all of you in the Windy City. #nabj
— Karen Attiah (@KarenAttiah) July 30, 2024
The NABJ, in its defense, has asserted that it doesn’t play favorites in politics and routinely invites presidential candidates to speak. Perhaps they just want the convention to have a little pizzazz. What they may lack in political bias, they seem to make up for with a willingness to embrace dialogue—even when it involves a figure as polarizing as Trump. The current NABJ president noted that this presents an opportunity for attendees to engage on critical issues affecting the Black community. Heaven forbid journalists step out of their echo chambers for a moment of real discussion!
Chicago’s Democratic Governor, J.B. Pritzker, couldn’t let the opportunity slip away without chiming in. He took to the airwaves with typical indignation, branding Trump’s visit as another con job in his failing campaign. Pritzker’s statements were reflective of many in the liberal camp who seem to think that dissenting voices, particularly those of Trump’s caliber, are better off silenced. By calling attention to this supposed disconnect, he’s merely highlighting how uncomfortable some in his party are with honest debate. It’s that classic “We just can’t handle the truth” syndrome rearing its ugly head.
Despite the predictable backlash, the event’s not open to the general public, supposedly maintaining the exclusivity of the conversation. However, those who can’t attend can still catch every second of the drama via live streams on YouTube and Facebook. One has to wonder: Will those streams include a countdown clock for how long it will take before someone on the panel makes an eye-roll-inducing comment about Trump? In the end, it looks like Trump’s appearance will be more than just another speech; it could very well turn into a front-row seat for a spectacular circus of political theatrics.
