Sanford Roan’s First Round for Diversity

In 1939 Sanford Roan made several attempts to integrate the Ohio Highway Patrol. The first African-American applicant brought superior credentials, a graduate of North Carolina A&T with a business degree. He was a star athlete and later a trained pilot with military service. John Bricker an ambitious Ohio gubernatorial candidate urged Roan’s application suggesting the State was eager for an African American patrolman. In a ploy to capture the Black vote Roan unwittingly became a political pawn in Bricker’s election bid.

Ostracized throughout cadet training Roan coped with the humiliating and hostile environment as he would later express to President Roosevelt: “The boys when they would talk to me would make sure no one else was around to see them. Generally, they expressed their sympathy at the conditions, but said there was nothing they could do. I began to realize then that a business or an organization could only be as good as the person or persons controlling them.”

A popular athlete Roan attended a racially mixed high school. Graduating from college into the world of work his race made him a social outcast. Fed up with the treatment he quit the academy. Bricker promptly summoned him and with promises of support and assurances of being in his corner, Roan was persuaded to return. But thing’s grew worse, and again he quit. By then Roan’s difficulties became front page fodder closely followed by Ohio voters. Again in his persuasion this time Bricker promised a political appointment if Roan would only return until after the election. All the while Bricker’s cohort, the Ohio Highway Patrol department’s founder Colonel Lynn Black was determined to keep the force all white and set out to block Roan’s appointment. With a wink and nod from Colonel Black the “Jim Crow” treatment grew more intense. In what was to be routine sparring Roan stepped into a boxing ring surprised in the opposite corner as five white cadets filed in.

Bandaged and brutally beaten Roan submitted his final resignation. The sitting democratic Governor Martin L. Davey promised if re-elected to fire Colonel Black. Bricker promised an investigation. Both candidates only intended to energize the Black vote. Bricker won but his promise for change, an investigation, and a political appointment were quickly forgotten. Roan’s ambition of being a highway patrolman faded.

Bricker too in his ambition would also suffer defeat. The Republican nominee for Vice President of the United States in 1944 shared the unsuccessful ticket with Presidential nominee Thomas Dewey losing to Franklin Roosevelt. Roan might have found some solace in Bricker’s defeat but then Bricker served out his public life in the U.S. Senate. Sanford Roan, the father of Kay and Gary, went on to become a successful businessman in Columbus Ohio.

Sanford Roan was one of those rare men, a courageous pioneer who cleared a path for others. Because of men like Roan who stepped up to a challenge the struggle is no longer about fisticuffs, but continues in the greater goal for diversity. Local Human Rights Commissions now work side-by-side with police departments to overcome past wounds and to open new dialogue towards an inclusive future for all our citizens. Police forces now actively recruit from HBCUs. Sanford Roan’s story clearly illustrates the difficulties of getting to this point.

Get into the Loop

If you want to know more on the happenings in contemporary Black life check out theloop21.com. Dr. Darnell Williams an economist and former professor having distinguished himself in business and government is the founder and publisher. This new website from an African American perspective chronicles the breadth of the Black experience through history and contemporary times. Mainstream media would have us believe African-Amerian cultural focal points are sports and entertainment but it’s much more, and rich with a wide range and depth of experiences. Until the election of Barak Obama the world gave little attention to African American culture which remains distinct from the broader American society.

The site features articles in different categories, including jobs, politics, education and the economy. Keli Goff a journalist and author of Party Crashing: How the Hip-Hop Generation Declared Political Independence is a frequent contributor and describes the theloop21.com as a news site first and foremost highlighting a perspective relevant to African Americans. Referring to the website’s recent completed news survey on race and media, she says is a perfect example of how this site is more than just a news site, being mindful of capturing the perspectives of African Americans.

The editorial board is made up of writers and journalist from Essence Magazine, the Los Angeles Daily News, and many other periodicals. It also has its own video installments with a corresponding Youtube channel. Editorialindependence.com is always glad to see a new source of diversity in the media. Check it out and get into the loop.

The Strategy

Ethnic minorities will form an increasingly important sector of the population over the next few decades, and the media has a special role to play in educating the public by highlighting the growing diversity in their societies and audiences.  A multi-cultural media policy both in reporting and employment can have a profound effect on the perceptions and attitudes of the public. Bent Sørensen, UNESCO Background Paper.

Despite a growing awareness of the media that they are supplying information and communication in multicultural societies, ignorance and lack of appreciation of different cultures, traditions and beliefs within the media still read to stereotypes that reinforces racist attitudes.  The International Federation of Journalists during the United Nations World Conference against Racism in Durbin in September 2001called on the international community to support work being done by journalist and media staff at regional, national and international level who join together to reassert the core principles of truth telling, independence and ethical journalism.  The IFJ has suggested establish a vigorous new global information strategy, building on existing anti-racism initiatives, and supporting the professional objectives of media professionals.

The strategic framework sets out 5 initiatives:

1.  Editorial Independence and Effective Self-Regulation.
2.  Diversity within the Media
3.  Training for Tolerance
4.  Building Industry, Co-operation and Solidarity
5.  Raising Awareness Among Journalists  (See pages  9 and 10) UNESCO Background Paper

Editorialindependence.com seeks to promote diversity and deterring discrimination in the media and entertainment industry working to raise awareness among journalist and to ensure Good Practices.

The Solution

Editorial Independence is the shield against the conflict of interest of being beholden. It is resisting the influence of sponsors and those with a political, personal or any hidden agenda the hallmark of any public service media. A 2002 UNESCO Background Paper, Racism, Racial Discrimination and Related Intolerance Relating To the Media, Including New Information Technologie, the author Bent SØrensen Argues Ethnic Minorities will form an increasingly important sector of the population over the next few decades, and the media has a special role to play in educating the public by highlighting the growing diversity in their societies and audiences. A multi-cultural media policy both in reporting and employment can have a profound effect on the perceptions and attitudes of public.

The solution is to expand opportunities to all minorities incorporating their cultural and ethnic perspective.

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