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Welcome, Larry.

I'm glad to see a voice focused on diversity in the industry added to E&P. Anyone who's spent any time in the industry and has an honest bone in them would have to concede that this is a m***ive issue for publishers who are on-the-whole failing miserably to identify and promote BIPOC into roles of prominence and responsibility in our newsrooms and business operations.

I also give credit to E&P for providing the space for this conversation. That praise, however, doesn't come without critique and trepidation. I recently attended the American's Newspaper Senior Leadership Conference in Colorado Springs where E&P hosted a panel of executives on their predictions for the coming year.

At one point, the conversation turned to a discussion of diversity (that segment is available to view https://youtu.be/V6una_CSz-0?t=1100 ) . I boiled hearing a conversation about racial and ethnic inclusion that didn't include anyone representing a BIPOC positionality. I fumed that E&P would put on a panel that lacked people of color, while positioning itself as the voice of reason on the subject. I was disappointed. I wanted to walk out.

Can't do that, though.

How would I explain that to my colleagues?

Nope.

Put on the armor.

Relax the jaw muscles.

Applaud politely.

In 2021, we are having too few conversations about opportunity, diversity and inclusion without the very people who can provide the most insight into the issue and challenge many of the narratives that otherwise exists. We apologize too much to those who have the opportunity to make a difference, yet don't.

The issues of diversity, opportunity and fairness are systemic in their roots and will need to be systemic in their long-term solutions, which, by definition, means re-examining the foundational ***umptions we make about our work and organizations.

Again, I congratulate Larry and the folks at E&P for making this space for conversation a possibility. Hopefully this becomes a place for critical thought along with meaningful discussion, conflict and resolution.

Best wishes to all involved.