UNITY CONFERENCE REMARKS ABOUT BUSH

Addressing a crowd of minority journalists at UNITY 2004 on Friday, President Bush gave an embrace of diversity amid a stern rejection of quotas for achieving diversity. “I support diversity. I don’t support quotas,” Bush said in response to a question from a panelist.

He said that he would consider seeking monitors in Florida and other states to ensure that there would be no repeat of the turmoil that attended the presidential vote in 2000.

Speaking to a crowd that included Rev. Jesse Jackson, Bush touched on quotas, the integrity of U.S. voting, legacy preference, and democracy in the goals of the war against terrorism.

Bush opened his remarks by both acknowledging the need for diversity in the media and suggesting that the differences between him and a highly skeptical element of the press corps be cordial.

He said, “I deal with my press corps on a regular basis. It’s a mutual beneficial society,” And we’re working hard to make sure our relationship is cordial and professional and that’s how I feel about coming here, too.”

In addition to having a more diverse media he spoke of the need for more diverse political parties. “You believe that there ought to be diversity in the newsroom, I understand that. You believe that there ought to be diversity on the editorial pages of America, I agree. You believe that there ought to be diversity behind that managing editor’s desk, I agree with that, too. I also believe that there should be diversity in the political parties in America and that’s why I’m going to work hard to tell people my message.” But Bush rejected quotas.

Some of his most lively remarks dealt with affirmative action. “I affirmatively support action,” he said in response to a question from syndicated columnist and NABJ member Roland Martin, who asked the President whether he supports legacy preferences in college admissions. “I agree we should get rid of legacy admissions… I think colleges should use merit.”

In lieu of college admissions quotas, Bush supported a program in Texas and said colleges ought to use the approach that guarantees admission to the top 10 percent of any high school graduating class.

In an exchange with panel members representing all the elements of the consortium that makes up UNITY, Bush acknowledged minority concerns about voting.

“I can understand why African Americans are concerned about the right to vote” because of the history of denial. “This administration wants everybody to have the right to vote,” Bush said.

He said that the problem with voting in the U.S was not with the democratic process but with not having enough people show up at the polls. He said that the media had a duty along with him to encourage the public to exercise the right to vote. He dead-panned, “Of course, I will have them to vote for me.”

Bush asserted that the U.S. will stay in Iraq until “the job is complete and commanders on the ground think we have achieved” democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan. He declined to set a timetable on achieving those goals. He said he would prefer not to be a war president. “This is a dangerous time. I wish it wasn’t this way. I wish I wasn’t the war president. Who in heck wants to be a war president? But this is what came our way. And this is our duty,” he said. “And I’ll continue to do that to the best of my ability.”

Asked whether he would send monitors to Florida, he said, “I’ll consider it.” He said that after quipping, “I’ll talk to the governor down there. I’ll make sure it works.” Bush’s brother is governor of that state.

Bush told the group that many of his educational goals were being met. He specifically addressed the need for more reform in the African-American and Latino communities. “You can’t read a newspaper if you can’t read,” he said.

A heckler was ejected from the ballroom as Bush spoke. “Shame on you for calling on the name of God to kill,” shouted the unidentified man who did not appear to be wearing a convention badge. Bush paused but did not stop his prepared remarks as the man shouted, “He’s a liar!” and was escorted from the room by UNITY organizers and security officers.

Several groups of protesters also gathered outside of the convention center during the President’s address.

The Malkin Media Diversity Test

Michelle Malkin

August 4, 2004

Every five years, a herd of perpetually disgruntled minority journalists gathers together to decry the lack of "diversity" in the media. This week, thousands of them will huff and puff in unison at the "UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc." convention in Washington, D.C. Both President Bush and Sen. John Kerry are scheduled to give their "I Heart Diversity More Than The Other Guy" speeches at UNITY on Thursday and Friday.

The Asian-American Journalists Association will complain about the lack of Asian-American male television news anchors. The National Association of Hispanic Journalists will attack the radio industry for not hiring enough Hispanic on-air personalities. The National Association of Black Journalists will lambaste newspaper publishers for not hiring enough black editors. And the Native American Journalists Association will grumble about the Washington Redskins.

In response, journalists of non-color will engage in obligatory self-flagellation. They'll promise to put more photos of minorities on the front pages of their papers. They'll vow to add more ethnic flavor to their airwaves. They'll step up racial sensitivity training. And they'll loudly proclaim their commitment to ensuring "diversity."

The diversity they seek is, by definition, skin-deep. They call themselves "journalists of color." Not journalists of substance. Or journalists of integrity. Or journalists of independent thought. I experienced this rainbow-tinted groupthink at the UNITY conference in Seattle in 1999, where I was the lone, out-of-the-closet conservative in a room of about 150 minority journalists.

After this Seattle "debate," a few journalists sent me secret hand signals or left whispered voice mail messages letting me know that they agreed with my point of view. The rest had groaned, snickered, and rolled their eyes when I criticized ethnic identity politics and voiced my support for University of California regent Ward Connerly's ballot initiatives to eliminate government race-based affirmative action.

Hey, can't we "journalists of color" all get along? Sure. But only if you stick to the liberal orthodox line. All others must endure the "Uncle Tom" slings and "Aunt Tomasina" arrows of the politically correct thought-enforcers -- an experience that is at first intimidating, then laughable, and finally painfully tiresome.

Well, I guess I must have masochistic tendencies, because when I learned that the UNITY conference would be coming to the Beltway this year, I volunteered to bring my divisively brown-skinned self back to the gathering. I contacted UNITY program co-chair O. Ricardo Pimentel, whom I once debated on immigration issues in Tempe, Ariz., and asked if UNITY would be interested in putting me on a panel to offer my ideologically diverse views on homeland security issues. He politely passed the buck, and I never heard back from UNITY.

So, alas, I won't be joining UNITY's illusion of inclusion this year. No hard feelings. But I am hoping that some venturesome journalist will pass along my Media Diversity Test to the multicultural masses at UNITY. Test-takers get five points for every statement they mark "YES."

1. I have never voted for a Democrat in my life.

2. I think my taxes are too high.

3. I supported Bill Clinton's impeachment.

4. I voted for President Bush in 2000.

5. I am a gun owner.

6. I support school voucher programs.

7. I oppose condom distribution in public schools.

8. I oppose bilingual education.

9. I oppose gay marriage.

10. I want Social Security privatized.

11. I believe racial profiling at airports is common sense.

12. I shop at Wal-Mart.

13. I enjoy talk radio.

14. I am annoyed when news editors substitute the phrase "undocumented person" for "illegal alien."

15. I do not believe the phrase "a chink in the armor" is offensive.

16. I eat meat.

17. I believe O.J. Simpson was guilty.

18. I cheered when I learned that Saddam Hussein had been captured.

19. I cry when I hear "Proud To Be an American" by Lee Greenwood.

20. I don't believe The New York Times.

I'm sure a large number of my culturally and ideologically diverse readers would earn a perfect score, as I did. What is the average score among UNITY attendees? Take the test, my fellow journalists of "diversity," and show us your true colors.

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