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In print | Published February 21, 2008

To the Editor:

In last week’s issue, Benjamin Bradlow wrote about The Phoenix’s diversity. I am grateful that Bradlow initiated this dialogue as I have often questioned it myself. Having worked on the staff and editorial board, I have been able to experience how The Phoenix is run and how (and if) diversity is incorporated.

One particular incident comes to mind when the hiring board was deciding between candidates for a writing position. I noticed that the group we had formed consisted of only male writers. Immediately after bringing this point up, the hiring board reconsidered the entire composition of the group in an attempt to provide more diversity. I wonder at what point do we look beyond the diversity of backgrounds to the diversity of thoughts.

Would it have been right to have an all-male section if the opinions were all diverse? Or was The Phoenix obligated to hire that female writer?

Bradlow specifically noted that the editorial board was inclusive of few students of color. Perhaps my experiences with The Phoenix have been unusual, but I have always seen increasing diversity on the staff. Last semester, the majority of the editorial board members were women of color. A further analysis of the staff would show a wide range of interests, sexualities, socioeconomic classes, etc.

In addition, though by no means am I suggesting that Bradlow did so, I would caution anyone who would study The Phoenix’s diversity through last names, skin tones or participation in campus cultural and support groups. The Phoenix has multi-ethnic staff members, several of whom have expressed their discomfort with having their ethnicity assigned by such assumptions.

I agree with Bradlow that The Phoenix should make steps to become more open. This move would benefit The Phoenix’s reliability as a media outlet and would help The Phoenix connect to the community. I also agree that The Phoenix should sit down with Deans Sams, Smaw and Zapata. However, I see this step not out of a specific need but rather as general support for the existing and growing population.

I would encourage more diversity on The Phoenix and I’m sure that the editorial board would agree. There is always room for improvement. However, we cannot ignore the diversity already present.

Many of the students work hard to ensure that The Phoenix offers fair and representative coverage. If anyone does have suggestions, the editorial board, in my experience, is always open to positive change.

Maryanne Tomazic ’10

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