Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama gestures while speaking at the UNITY Journalism Convention Sunday. (The UNITY News Photo Jennifer Dronkers)

Sen. Barack Obama addressed thousands of journalists at a live forum on the final day of the UNITY convention in his first appearance since returning to the U.S. after a spending a week overseas.

The senator was greeted with a standing ovation when he walked onto the stage. He addressed issues such as immigration, the economy and race and gave a recap of his trip.

“When you think about the big problems we face at home, they are connected to the problems abroad,” Obama said.

Hundreds of empty seats in the back of the Skyline Ballroom at the McCormick Place convention center were noticeable as CNN broadcasted the event. Many attendees had already departed the convention by the time Obama spoke.

In weeks prior to the convention, UNITY organizers had heavily promoted a forum between Obama and Sen. John McCain, but neither candidate had confirmed the appearance, originally scheduled for Thursday night.

Karen Lincoln Michel, UNITY president, said McCain could not make the forum because of scheduling conflicts, although repeated invitations were sent.

Obama said although he was away from the country for a week, he was in touch with what was happening on this side. He expressed his pleasure with the passing of a landmark housing bill that will offer up to $300 billion in loans for troubled homeowners and establish a government rescue plan for mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

“We’ve got to prevent people from losing their homes,” he said.

In response to criticism he faced for going on the overseas trip, the presumptive nominee said he met with the same leaders that McCain met with when he won the nomination.

“I was puzzled by the notion that what we did was any different,” Obama said. “We just did it better.”

Obama said the trip offered him key insight into what it would be like as a leader, should he win the election.

In anticipation of both candidates’ arrival, The UNITY News sent an informal survey to members of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and National Association of Black Journalists, and interviewed journalists planning to attend the convention. The Asian American Journalist Association and the Native American Journalist Association did not participate.

The journalists were surveyed about the most important issues they wanted each candidate to address, and the strengths and weaknesses of the presumptive nominees. Each member surveyed was also asked to identify their gender and race.

The 38 NAHJ members who responded to the survey chose immigration reform as the most important issue facing the next president, while the 15 NABJ members who responded identified stabilizing the economy. But many respondents expressed doubt about Obama’s security and immigration policies.

“We are a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws,” Obama said. “The fact that we’re getting people who want to come to this country that is good.”

Obama said he will work to make a comprehensive immigration policy and work with immigrants currently in the country to help them become legal citizens.

The senator was asked a handful of tough questions, including if he would issue an apology to Native Americans for past mistreatment if elected.

“The most important thing for the U.S. government to do is not just offer apologies, but offer deeds,” Obama said. “I have to confess, I’m more concerned with providing a better way of life.”

An apology was issued to Native Americans in 2000 by Kevin Gover, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs.

By Cindy Von Quednow
The UNITY News Online

Does the ideal newsroom exist? It does once every four years in a selected city in the United States.

It includes hungry reporters and photographers, video editors, producers and camera people for print, web, radio and TV from all over the nation. You name it, we’ve got it. The UNITY News, that is our name, convergence and diversity is our game.

But we’re forgetting the final element to this newsroom of the future: mentors, also known as overseers, helpers, guides and masters of a craft who have taken time away from their personal and professional lives to help aspiring journalists hone their skills and their futures.

It was our mentors’ jobs to come up with newsworthy story ideas in the “Windy City”, assign stories, shape stories and edit the final product.

“I wanted to give back to the next generation of mentors,” said Tracy Jan, a reporter for the Boston Globe and a mentor in the print track.

“I know that some of my reporters this week were probably frustrated at times… I’m sure they thought I was a pain, but I‘m hoping that they got something out of it.”

Editorship requires management and patience. “She’s been tough but she’s never been mean,” said Virginia Torres, a student who is currently Jan’s mentee in the UNITY newsroom. “If anything [Jan's] been really patient and helpful.”

Those characteristics are required in any field of journalism, and it’s easier to acquire them when you have someone guiding your steps.

“Jerome’s been one of the best mentors I’ve ever had, he’s been really hospitable,” said Martha Flores, a radio student working with mentor, Jerome Vaughn. “He goes beyond the extra mile to help students and I’m pretty sure that if he wasn’t a mentor, he’d still be helping me.”

During this unique experience I have met journalists with all kinds of backgrounds and goals. The fact that we have had the privilege to be mentored by seasoned professionals who have been through the same grinder and are now working for prestigious organizations is impressive.

Experience and practice is nice and all, but reassurance, guidance and just a simple pat on the back or a kick in the tush can go a long way.

This is a collective “thank you” to our mentors, for guiding us through this tough but worthwhile endeavor of media convergence. Your diverse backgrounds, stories and lives completed our utopian newsroom, and I hope that the four organizations that come together once every four years will continue working hard to make the eclectic newsroom in the McCormick center a reality.

And who knows, maybe we’ll see you in four years!