Diversity Diaries: James L. Gray

By James L. Gray, CAE
Former executive director, Society of Professional Journalists/Sigma Delta Chi Foundation

10.05.01

Printer-friendly page

I landed my first job in journalism in the late '60s. I worked in a classic, old-fashioned newsroom at a large metropolitan daily newspaper. The place looked the same in 1969 as it had in 1939 — candlestick telephones, pneumatic tubes, hot-lead type — and copy boys.

When an editor needed something — anything — he (she could write only for the Society page) would yell, "Boy!"

This went against my personal sensibilities — after all, it was the '60s. I had spent plenty of time on my college campus marching for civil-rights causes and protesting social injustices. And, oh yes, all of the copy boys happened to be black.

I approached the city editor and asked if it were possible to have the editors call, "Copy Boy" instead of "Boy!" As an alternative, I suggested that they be summoned by name.

"Maybe when these old-timers retire or die off," he said to me.

I switched to the night side where we did our own fetching.

Related

Diversity Diaries
Diversity Diaries is a collection of true stories from newspaper people around the country who have experienced or observed pivotal moments in diversity.  10.04.01