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Diversity Diaries: Jim Clark

By Jim Clark
Editor, Orlando magazine

08.08.01

Many, many years ago, I was a young reporter who knew everything. I was sent out to do a story and assigned a photographer who seemed to be at least 100 years old. He fumbled around with his camera, then his film, then his lenses as he prepared to go with me. I kept looking at my watch and finally, in desperation, I turned to the news editor who was watching me pace and said, "Can't he get his act together?" The news editor shook his head and said, "No, he's really worthless. You know what you should do, kid? Call the trustees at Columbia and suggest they take back his Pulitzer Prize!" I kept my mouth shut and waited patiently. Of course, he turned out to be the best photographer I ever worked a story with and a wonderful person.