Rugged Waters: Black Journalists Swim the Mainstream

"Rugged Waters" is a stanza of history of the National Association of Black Journalists from 1989 to 2002. Author Wayne Dawkins states in the preface that the book highlights the annual conventions. The essence of the book is the challenge of the leadership in the organization to create and maintain fiscal stability and membership. The president and the board has potential conflicts of interests in dealing with policies within their own news organizations and convention event sponsors. Should black staff members in newsrooms be the same percentage as the population being covered? Can NABJ accept alcohol and tobacco sponsorship if these products indirectly kill African Americans at alarming percentages? Dawkins shows how NABJ addresses these issues. Running for president in NABJ has often been an uncontested event. "Rugged Waters" does not hightlight the fact that a viable presidential candidate needs endorsements from familiar industry leaders and the old guard journalists. Neophytes in journalism are not considered because they have to pay their dues. Dawkins quotes veteran journalist, Roy Johnson, who states NABJ is not a "must join organization." "Rugged Waters" should be read by every new and seasoned journalist of color. The history of the news organization, NABJ, had its creation through affirmative action. The future is held in the balance by the adage of, not appealing to the youth.

If you want to get an inside look at the workings of the organization representing minority journalists you should read this book. It takes you inside the the National Association of Black Journalists, and by extension, inside the newsrooms of some of the nation's top news organizations. The book details not just the trials,tribulations, and growing pains of NABJ, but also the aspirations,frustrations, triumphs, and failures of some of the minority journalists working in the media. Rugged Waters also looks at some of the major media stories of the past decade and explores how race does or does not impact decisions about coverage of stories. It's a good read and a significant addition to the discussion of media and its impact on the way we view the world in which we live.

This is a very detailed account of the NABJ and of black journalists as a whole in the United States. It's not a leisurely read; rather it's a call to action for black journalists to step out of their comfort zones and press on to build a stronger organization than what was left in the aftermath of the 1990's. The NABJ was and is a key foundation for African-American journalists, and this book is a key read for both its proponents and skeptics. Reviewed by CandaceKof The RAWSISTAZ ReviewersComplete review can be found on our website...

This is an important book. Wayne Dawkins provides an insider's view of a pivotal decade in the history of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). As Dawkins points out, black journalists, while still severely underrepresented in print and broadcast media, are indispensable and invaluable in the coverage of every major event in the 1990s, including the Los Angeles riots, O.J. Simpson trial, Million Man March and U.S. presidential elections. However, black journalists and NABJ still face significant challenges, not the least of which is NABJ's effort to grow its organization in the face of declining membership, attacks on media diversity and a certain apathy among many blacks in the profession. Dawkins examines these challenges in Rugged Waters while providing plenty of salient points to ponder.

><br>Book Review from Rudy Smith Omaha World-Herald. 8-19-03<p>Historically relevant and significant, A must read for all journalist and media watchers. Rugged Waters unveils the fourth estate and its called NABJ. Its time is now and a force that is changing the way the news is covered.<p>Veteran Journalist Wayne Dawkins tells it straight.