Stories...Davis

Amanda Davis

Guilford HS - Ill.
First Place - News Story Contest
July 15-19, 2001

HSJI Students Hear Diversity Speech

Students heard a speech on diversity coverage the evening of July 16 during their week at the High School Journalism Institute.

Frank Motley, associate vice chancellor for academic support at Indiana University, talked to the young journalists about having their school media reach everyone at their school.

Motley made a point that all minorities count, and it is their constitutional right to have a voice. One way their voice can be heard is through their school newspaper.

"We must be the change we seek in the world," Motley said, quoting from Ghandi. He continued, "In order to reach all of the students, you need to have all kinds of them on your newspaper staff.

"Not all students will try to be on a newspaper staff, unless they feel welcomed," Motley said.

"I enjoyed Mr. Motley's lecture. It really made me see that I don't have to agree with a person to listen to him or her; I think that will help me a lot in journalism."

Fellow student Steve Kimel agreed. "The lecture was very moving and uplifting; it inspired me to fight against discrimination," he said.

Motley helps with five programs to fight discrimination and help minorities of all kinds. One, the Academic Support Center, helps college students by tutoring and other forms of academic support. Another is "Groups," which gives underprivileged students opportunities to go to a good college.

During the lecture Motley repeated many times that "diversity is good." He said, "America is great because we are integrated, but to keep that up, a lot more needs to be learned."

Motley left the class with a final conclusion and challenge. "In America there are people that are part of the problem and there are people that are part of the solution." He challenged the HSJI students to "make your newspaper part of the solution and make sure all views are shown."