[Fred Nerks]

How many Arab–American journalists are there in the United States? The National Arab American Journalists Association reached almost 150 members in its first three years, according to its founder, nationally syndicated columnist Ray Hanania. About half of them work in mainstream, non-Arab–American media. In comparison, the national Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) has some 9000 members.

If pressed to name a single Arab–American journalist, most people could probably only reply, “Helen Thomas.” Now a senior columnist, Thomas has been a White House reporter since President John F. Kennedy’s day. She was the first woman officer of the National Press Club, first woman president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, first woman member of the Gridiron Club and, for decades, entitled to ask the first or second question during presidential press conferences. In 2000, the SPJ created an annual Lifetime Achievement Award—and named it after Thomas.

SOURCE

United Press International correspondent Helen Thomas interviewing US President-elect John F. Kennedy at Georgetown University Hospital in 1960. BETTMAN/CORBIS

[knarf]

All these years ... but ... she’s Lebonese .... still ..... hmmmmm.

[the OlLine Rebel]

“Now a senior columnist”

There’s an understatement.