After speculation that both presidential candidates would skip
Unity, Sen. Barack Obama has now committed to appear at the convention on its final day.
In a release sent Saturday night, Unity president Karen Lincoln Michel said, "We are pleased that our UNITY colleagues will have the chance to hear from Sen. Obama and be among the first to question him upon his return from his overseas trip."
Obama's appearance at Unity "reaffirms the importance and respect of journalists of color in this year's election process," said convention chair Bryan Monroe, vice president and editorial director of
Ebony and
Jet magazines.
The revised Unity schedule describes the Presidential Candidates Forum as "a 60-minute conversation ... to discuss his candidacy, current issues and concerns pertinent to communities of color."
Last year both Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton were at the National Association of Black Journalists convention. At that time the talk in all the media was, "Is Obama black enough?" This was an occasion, and he used the occasion, to address that issue and say, he said, "Enough already, I'm definitely black enough." After that, he went and talked with ... a group of African American columnists, and at that meeting we saw a more nuanced version of Obama who had a black perspective on world events and on national events. You can't underestimate the importance of being able to reach journalists who are spreading the message.
On NPR's "News & Notes" Friday with Prince, guest Bruce Dixon, managing editor of
BlackAgendaReport.com, described why any hesitation or reluctance to speak with journalists is no reflection on Unity's importance. Dixon said:
Journalists don't get their legitimacy from the willingness of candidates or powerful people to talk to them ... Journalists get their legitimacy by telling the truth, whether the candidates or office holders like it or not.
Unity has been unable to confirm whether McCain will join Obama at the convention.
McCain just blew off speaking with thousands of reporters at...
