NABJ Conference

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I attended the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention in Las Vegas and enjoyed the seminars (after I got over the 110-degree temperature outside), panels and workshops offered inside the air-conditioned convention center. Although the photography offerings were geared more towards the print media, not online, I found a panel discussion on covering Africa very engaging. The panelists, all from different countries in Africa, gave an overview of the myths and misconceptions that many western journalists have when covering the continent. Comments like, "You will not die of a horrible, exotic disease if you go to Africa to cover a story," and "Africa is a continent, not a country" elicited a few giggles, but were apropos.  As a photo editor, the discussion prompted me to think about the barrage of violent, poverty-laden images being run every day and what I can do to make sure I am not unnecessarily enforcing a stereotype of an entire continent.

A Chadian woman and her children stand in the abandoned Aramgo village southwest of Goz Beida that was attacked April 22, 2007 in Chad. Around 200,000 Sudanese refugees have fled to neighboring Chad from Darfur, and more the 100,000 Chadian villagers have fled their villages to become IDP (Internally Displaced People).

 

A model shows one of the creations of South African designer Kluk CGDT during the fourth and last day of the Cape Town fashion week in Cape Town, South Africa. Now in its fifth year, the event has grown rapidly into one of the premiere new-world fashion weeks, providing an international platform for designers from across sub-Saharan Africa.

 

I also attended sessions with presidential candidates Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton as AOL's Black Voices partnered with NABJ to host video of their discussions. The NABJ Convention committee invited all the presidential candidates to appear, democrats and republicans, but Clinton and Obama were the only ones to accept. While their talks included repeats of speeches and comments made previously by the candidates, there were a few humorous and, seemingly, less prepared moments. To keep up with what's going on with all the candidates and for additional election coverage, go to 2008 Election Coverage on AOL News.

- Rachel