with me ever since. We’ve got a good relationship. On this particular day, after I gave him a bro hug, a prominent white reporter asked me, dismissively, “Did you grow up together?”
In the course of my career, whenever I’ve run into the type of ignorance described above, I’ve wondered how the conversation would play out differently if I wasn’t the only Black journalist in the room. If we had more strength in numbers would I not be viewed as the Black History Month documentarian or the diversity hire?Since May 25, the day George Floyd was killed andwith police violence, I’ve been navigating five to 10 outside requests a day.
“People of colour in the media know that if we don’t pitch stories about race, it’s likely nobody else will. And there simply aren’t that many of us.”I believe the asks are well-intentioned, that they come from a genuine desire to learn and inform, but they’re also all basically saying, “Hey, I know you are going through something traumatic. Can you fit in a 15-minute block on my show tomorrow to explain it to me? And the extra labour will be unpaid.
Odds are your local newspaper doesn’t have a Black sports reporter. Your national newspaper of choice definitely doesn’t. The beat reporters for every Canadian team in every league are almost all white. You will not find a Black voice hosting a sports talk show on your radio dial. You won’t see a Black person on the board or executive leadership team of a major Canadian sports media company.
donnovanbennett Blaming all white people for everybody else's problems is also racism. Jus sayin.
donnovanbennett I don’t even know where to start with how absolutely ridiculous this crap is. Stop pumping us full of this whiny crap.
donnovanbennett Black Canadians make up 4% of the population. Maybe, just maybe, we don’t have to blame ‘racism’. Maybe, just maybe, there’s not that many black people looking for that job.
donnovanbennett Constantly playing the whiny annoying victim while living in one of the freest societies in history must be so exhausting. How does one sustain the conscious self deception? An obsessive compulsive victim fetish? But then again how else could you garner attention? victimcult
donnovanbennett imagine hiring based on merit and not skin color, wouldn’t that be a sight
donnovanbennett Not enough white players in the NBA
donnovanbennett Let’s diversify the sports TEAMS while we’re at it. They should certainly reflect the racial makeup of the city they play for. 🤦🏻♂️
I like Donnovan's work, but considering the population discrepancy of POCs to white people, it's a difficult venture, and for what? In sports, experience as a viewer and a deep understanding of each sport is what matters if you want to be an analyst.
donnovanbennett 'Social justice' is an irresistible opportunity for the whiny narcissist to play victim for the purpose of gaining financially and in status. As victimhood becomes currency, we should not be surprised when the counterfeiters try to cash in. RaceHustler
donnovanbennett Donnovan is correct. blacklivesmatter
donnovanbennett Please show us the % of black students in journalism secondary schools. I bet it’s would be the same or lower % then % of actual black sports journalist.
donnovanbennett Sportsnet needs to learn about all sports and not just hockey and the Leafs before they can diversify. There are some reporters that need to leave.
donnovanbennett conka
donnovanbennett I doubt it considering all donovan bennett has been doing for the past few months is creating more division. Enough already. Why don't you just say you want less white people?
donnovanbennett Or how about just hiring the best people?
donnovanbennett You have to understand black people make up 2% of the population of Canada, you simply arent going to see many in sports broadcasting.
donnovanbennett donnovanbennett gonna be the LeBron of sports-writing
donnovanbennett
donnovanbennett How would it make a difference?
donnovanbennett Best person for the job regardless of colour
LeoRautins donnovanbennett I would think David Amber and Anthony Stewart might beg to differ with parts of this article? Both excellent radio hosts and both happen to be black!
donnovanbennett Well said. blacklivesmatter
donnovanbennett I watch a lot of the nba coverage on ESPN , I think white people are not represented properly . We need more diversity
donnovanbennett Always the victim.
donnovanbennett Blame those great progressive people in that business that you chose. The media can't be racist, can they?
donnovanbennett Appreciate the insight, but also the many reasons listed for more representation in media. I’m sure our sports coverage would be better all round if more races and viewpoints were representated.
donnovanbennett I don’t get this. Canada is predominantly white country. The black population in Canada is 4%, so you’re asking to be over represented? How does this make any logical sense
donnovanbennett Well if you only hire based on racist is that not racism ?
donnovanbennett how are you doing? I'm a slay and single momma looking for a baby that I gonna have deep conversation with and naughty sometimes and start earning $300 a week add me up on kik at sarahbenson1980
donnovanbennett Thanks for sharing! We have to do better!
donnovanbennett Thanks for opening our eyes, donnovanbennett. First noticed you on timandsid when you stepped in for either tim_micallef or Sid_Seixeiro. People like you and _shireenahmed_ will become role models for kids that dream of becoming sports journalists. alwayscare
donnovanbennett Class as usual Donnovan. Very well said! Visible minorities have been saying these things forever within our own circles. Thanks for eloquently expressing it with your platform for the masses to read! It’s about time that sports media comes to grips with its lack of diversity
donnovanbennett An excellent article. Thank you for sharing it. Sincerely hope change/diversity does come.
donnovanbennett Ya but I ask, will merit come to play when hiring people now, if a black undeserving person applies for the job and the employer fears to say no because does not want to be called racist, is it right? I'm all for BlackLivesMatter but we need to reflect how far this is going..
donnovanbennett Thank you for your candor, Donnovan. This piece is so important.
Steve_Dangle donnovanbennett Great article. Representation matters! Let’s get a First Nations reporter at Sportsnet and TSN!
donnovanbennett
donnovanbennett Just reading the comments shows why more diversity is needed. Another great read from Donovan. Always thought provoking..
donnovanbennett Why not other minorities too? Are they not disadvantaged as well?
donnovanbennett “But it’s going to take white people relinquishing some of their traditional power and Black people collectively creating theirs”. How does this work when black people make up only 4% of Canada’s population?
donnovanbennett A great article. Thank you for writing this.
donnovanbennett Oh that insidious victim virus. It's a cultural airborne virus that is actually invited in by the weak and pathetic But then how else can they manipulate others? How else can they indulge their victim fetish?Their resentment? How else are they going to make a living?
donnovanbennett Published by Sportsnet one of the most overtly racist old boys networks ever. Having people who ever viewers and listeners hate like Brian Burke or Doug McLean, and gifting prime radio spots to spoiled white brats like Ben Ennis & JD Bunkis...
donnovanbennett Only if they are best qualified!
donnovanbennett I agree totally.
donnovanbennett Ok so let’s be clear. Companies are supposed to hire based on diversity not the best person for the job. Hmmmmm
donnovanbennett Speak your Truth Go getter
FAN590 donnovanbennett
donnovanbennett True story. BlackLivesMatter
donnovanbennett
donnovanbennett People choose the career paths they want. Donnovan does great work and I believe he is a great example for other PoCs to follow in his wake.
donnovanbennett How about you just hire the right person for the job?
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