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By Ashleigh FieldsAFRO Assistant Editorafields@afro.com
There are at present 49 seats within the James S. Brady briefing room for White Home reporters devoted to protecting probably the most making an attempt truths of our nation’s current and previous. Just one belongs to a Black owned media outlet, effectively half a seat. The Grio, brief for the griot, a time period that references a separate class of individuals in West African tradition designated as “oral historians” or “caretakers of the reality.” The entity stands in a league of its personal surrounded by a sea of bigger media firms and conglomerates. Throughout from them on the day by day briefings stands historical past maker and path blazer Karine Jean-Pierre who serves as the primary Black press secretary for the President of the US.
In November, she introduced a pivotal determination to rename the lectern from which she reveals information for the American folks, after two Black ladies, Alice Dunnigan and Ethel Payne.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to function the primary Black girl on this position. It’s not misplaced on me that I stand on the shoulders of Alice Dunnigan, Ethel Payne, and the monumental wrestle and sacrifice of everybody who seems to be like me inside, earlier than, and past this White Home,” Jean-Pierre instructed the AFRO. “It’s my hope that the Dunnigan-Payne lectern will function a beacon of what Black communicators can obtain – whether or not they’re seated earlier than it or answering questions behind it.”
The distinctive triangular construction is stuffed with unusual options resembling curved inward slants which showcase the speaker’s legs and ft. The article was fused with items of black walnut and metallic.
“As you’ll be able to see, the metallic speaks to the resilience and energy of our nation, whereas the black walnut represents the wealthy historical past and the deep-rooted foundations upon which this nation stands,” Jean-Pierre shared at unveiling through the Nov. 30 press briefing. “The blue paint signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice.”
Payne and Dunnigan have been the primary Black ladies admitted to the White Home Press core the place they overcame outstanding challenges in their very own proper. The 2 co-authored many items collectively for the famend Chicago Defender wherein they bonded over tongue-lashings and shared traumas throughout presidential briefings.
“On February 10, 1954, I attempted my-fledgling wings as an accredited White Home reporter and requested President Eisenhower my first query at his information conferences,” Payne recalled in a Chicago Defender article she penned. “I bear in mind my knees knocking and my voice quavering as Ike cupped a hand” to his ear and requested me to repeat.”
Over the weeks, a boldness started to develop and Payne shortly turned often known as the “First Woman of the Black Press” for her intense line of questioning based mostly on analysis and lived expertise. Dunnigan documented probably the most infamous bouts of anger seen by President Eisenhower in an article entitled, “Why Press Question Fired Ike’s Ire.”
“The President’s lack of expertise on many racial points, raised by reporters of Negro news- papers, appears to have change into embarrassing after awhile, and his impatience started to point out,” Dunnigan wrote. “The curt method wherein the President has begun answering the questions posed by Negro reporters has been noticed and talked about by most of the press and radio folks current. It has additionally given rise to a important “blast” issued upon the ladies reporters by the lone Negro man who attends the President’s conferences.”
“The illness {of professional} jealousy appears to be very contagious as it’s apparently spreading to different male columnists who’re becoming a member of the fray and vehemently tossing phrase stones of un- pleasantness at those that would dare go to the bat for points affecting ten % of America’s inhabitants,” she continued.
Over the course of their profession, Dunnigan could be pressured to cowl tales from the service part throughout Eisenhower’s presidency and got here out of pocket to pay for her personal lodging throughout President Harry S. Truman’s whole Western marketing campaign. Payne virtually had her credentials revoked because of her complicated questions and succumbed to low pay compared to her male counterparts whereas working as a one particular person bureau in D.C.
Regardless of these obstacles, the pair fiercely overcame every setback with grace resulting in a collection of awards introduced posthumously. In 2022, the White Home Correspondents’ Affiliation created the Dunnigan-Payne Lifetime Achievement Award of their reminiscence.
“For the Chicago Defender, Ms. Payne was a frontline journalist of the very best order and a lion for her folks. Even right this moment, few journalists can match her expertise, fearlessness, sagacity and curiosity mixed with an unquenchable thirst for excellence. These attributes led her to serve with distinction as our White Home correspondent and journey the world and Chicago protecting points that involved her folks, Black folks,” Tacuma Roeback, present managing editor for the Chicago Defender expressed. “She is and can all the time be “The First Woman of the Black Press,” however she deserves to be talked about in the identical breath as Ida B. Wells, Helen Thomas and Barbara Walters.”
Payne was a classically skilled journalist who studied on the prestigious Medill College of Journalism at Northwestern College whereas Dunnigan earned her diploma from Kentucky State College.
“In an endeavor the place doggedness and fearlessness are virtues, Alice Dunnigan embodied each greater than most journalists, no matter race, gender or orientation. As somebody who needed to bear the dual burdens of racism and sexism, what she achieved all through her profession is nothing in need of outstanding,” shared Roeback. “When people are singled out for being “one among one,” they’ve the uncommon skill and self-belief to achieve the higher echelons of their professions. Contemplating the racial and gender bias they endured, Ethel Payne and Alice Dunnigan are really in that “one among one” class.”
The final lectern was launched in 2007 beneath President George W. Bush and remained for a complete of 16 years earlier than being changed. A workforce comprised of these within the Military, Navy and civilians assigned to the White Home Communications Company designed the brand new one over the course of 2023. It stands as a silent reminder of Payne’s parting phrases.
“I keep on with my agency, unshakeable perception that the Black press is an advocacy press, and that I, as part of that press, can’t afford the posh of being unbiased,” Payne stated. “With regards to points that actually have an effect on my folks, and I plead responsible, as a result of I feel that I’m an instrument of change.”
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