Black Writers Moving Up and Out at The News
As I scanned the Sports Day in today's Dallas Morning, I quickly noticed that there were two black writers featured "above the fold." Calvin Watkins, who I first knew as the DMN boxing reporter, was covering the much-anticipated return of T.O. to Philly this weekend. And to his right, Jean-Jacques Taylor has a column where he dishes out advice to Texas Rangers GM Jon Daniels, as he searches for a new manager. This is all part of the recent Dallas Morning News Buyout (For a comprehensive list of those who left, check out this Buyout List at The Texas Blog).
A number of my favorite writers chose to cease their tenure at the Dallas paper; including Ed Bark, Cathy Harasta, Gerry Fraley, and Phillip Wuntch. Unfortunately, longtime Sports Columnist Kevin Blackistone was also one of the 111 Morning News employees who took the buyout. Blackistone was one of only 22 black sports columnists nationwide. I guess that number holds with JJT stepping in. He was never afraid to play the race card, a trait that wasn't lost on me. There are times when things need to be questioned, and situations should be looked at from different perspectives.
Columnists get paid for their opinion, and Blackistone's opinion was that of a black sports fan in America. I could only shake my head at the number of letters the paper received from readers painting Blackistone as a racist. But it didn't stop him from saying what was on his mind. Blackistone has been a frequent contributor to the ESPN show Around the Horn in recent years.
So as Calvin and Jean-Jacques now wield a bigger pen in the Dallas sports scene, a legendary black writer moves on. All will do well, though the transition from Cowboy beat writer to columnist won't be an easy one for Taylor. His knack for breaking news and maximizing relationships will not benefit his as much in his new role. Be sure to read the fine work of Calvin and JJT, and if you see Kevin on the street, give him his due for his groundbreaking turn at The News.
