When the news of Ed Bradley’s death broke today, I thought of
Byron Pitts.
Byron, a National Correspondent for CBS news, teaches with us at Poynter from time to time, and is passionate about journalism, about people, and about supporting those who have been underrepresented for years in newsrooms – people of color. I sent my condolences to Byron – and these questions.
JILL GEISLER: What’s Ed Bradley’s professional legacy?
BYRON PITTS: Part of Ed's great legacy was his humanity. It seems to me Ed always took an 'emotional position' in his stories. He never took sides, but you always knew what was in Ed's heart and it was likely he knew what was in yours. We all know when Ed Bradley laughed in a story, we all laughed. You knew when Ed was angry, because we all were angry. He made being cool - cool.
GEISLER: What personal insights can you share about the man?
PITTS: One of the many things I loved about Ed Bradley was he was a strong black man on TV. Ed first appeared on network TV when most black men on TV were still portrayed as clowns or criminals. Ed never ran from his blackness, never was ashamed, never used it as a crutch. He inspired generations of African-American journalists. Everyday most of us dream to be like Ed.
GEISLER: How do you think Ed Bradley would most want to be remembered?
PITTS: He made the hard look easy. And for a generation he made the impossible look possible. I loved Ed Bradley. He inspired me before I met him. He helped when I did. Ed was a giver. A master storyteller.
