During my time at URI I have been really able to expand my knowledge and understanding of the world. Whether it is in the classroom, in my internships or my other experiences I have truly come to see just how unique every person on this earth is. As a journalist I have always loved telling other people's stories. Since everyone is so unique the stories are so extraordinary. 

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I have had the privilege during my four years in Kingston to take classes that really broaden my vision. These courses have helped me understand how important it is for a journalist to be able to work and deal with the challenges presented in a multicultural world. In order for a journalist to be balanced in their reporting they must be able to understand different races and genders. This will allow them to share every side and perspective in a story. 

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My first piece of evidence comes from maybe the most eye-opening class I have taken at URI. In COM 441, race and class in the media, we took a deep dive into different stereotypes that are in the media that most of us are blind to. It was a great class that showed me and my classmates how many challenges exist in the media for so many different races. In this class I wrote a research about Ida B. Wells. Wells was an African American journalist in the 1890’s who was a strong anti-lynching advocate and had to face a lot of threats, racial slurs and so much more adversity. In my paper I talk about how she was portrayed in the media and the challenges she faces. Although I do not have these problems today, I was able to understand how to deal with some problems and the importance of staying the course as you are reporting the truth.

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My second piece of evidence comes from my JOR 410 class on journalism ethics. In this class we discussed a lot about modern day problems that are facing journalists. One problem I truly was blind to was the lack of diversity in newsrooms across America. I wrote a short essay on this current problem and how it can do a great deal of harm to citizens and journalism. You can not be balanced as a journalist or news outlet if you are not in touch with problems facing a certain community or area. With newsrooms mostly consisting of white reporters it is hard to get every perspective represented in America. It is a problem that is very present in our industry and one that can have serious consequences.

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My final piece talks about diversity, but it is really a representation of a lot of work I have done. It is a profile I did on former Rhode Island basketball star, Kenny Green. Green is African American and played at URI in the 1980’s. The main part of the story is how Green is coming back to complete his degree. I included this because it is just one of many aspects of work I did with a person of a different race or gender. I was truly blessed to be able to meet, talk to and share the stories of those that are of a different background or race than me. 

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As I said in my four years at Rhode Island I have embraced being able to expand my horizons. To be able to meet so many people that are different from me. What I have realized is that although they are a different race, come from a different background, a lot of us are the same and share quite a bit of similarities. As a journalist I have learned and am now able to recognize the challenges that are associated with living and working in a multicultural world.