Essay 1332

Damn, nobody sparks controversy like Jesse Jackson. Below are initial responses to the AdAge story presented in Essay 1326…

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> Well, Jackson’s involvement confirms that this entire issue is just a circus for the politicos and the press. Jackson is nothing if not a divider of the races (it is how he makes his living!). He has no industry qualifications or expertise that would qualify him to be involved in this imaginary “problem.” Show me the proof that ad agencies specifically bar non-whites from employment or agency ownership. Produce the facts showing that agencies secretly plot to ensure that the ad industry repels non-whites. Neither can be done. It’s a free country, and anyone who wants to can gain the skills and education to work in the industry. What a waste of time, money, and media attention is this entire issue. Shame on the ad industry for letting itself be bullied into creating this circus! — Beaverton, OR

> DG’s question resounds with misplaced cynicism. He (and many others) would be surprised to learn the truth. Just as there are some who challenge the legitimacy of multicultural ad agencies, there are voices that cry foul that these agencies are practicing reverse discrimination. The argument is, “If mainstream agencies have to integrate, shouldn’t multicultural agencies be compelled to integrate as well?” This argument is both typical and profoundly ignorant. Anyone who actually takes a serious look at multicultural ad agencies will see that they are in fact genuine examples of the very best workforce diversity practices. At any multicultural agency that has more than 10 or 20 employees, there is a robust variety of every ethnic background including Caucasian. And these diverse employees are represented at every level of the organization and in every department. I can think of no better example of this than UniWorld. — RIDGEFIELD, CT

> If you believe Jackson’s quote — “It’s not in my interests to choose diversity over equality,” he said. “I’m not saying don’t have diversity in your company. [But] employees is one thing, co-partners is another.” You have to be a fool. As a Mexican American, I always feel infuriated we he tries to speak for me. Look, Jesse Jackson wants his cake and consume it all. His interests are self-serving and the man will never change. He wants himself and his organization to be in everyone’s business. Minority owned or not, he wants credit. You have to read between the lines when he speaks. Yes, he has done things for equality, but don’t allow him to deceive us with the same speech for everything. — VALENCIA, CA

> I’d be most curious to better understand the hiring practices and demographic composition of Uniworld, Burrell and other minority agencies. DG NYC — New York, NY