Gary Knight- A Reply...

Since I'm not a member of Lightstalkers, I'll simply make my reply to Mr. Knight's comment (dated 6/16), here:

Gary- I don't believe anyone's suggesting having people on any jury solely and simply because of race. That has never been the issue, and frankly, I'm surprised someone as accomplished and "enlightened" as yourself would actually repeat it. You go through great pains to delineate just how diverse the backgrounds are at VII- gender, age, class, etc, etc. Every which way but... race, where diversity remains very conspicuously in front of the lens.

Every top photo organization and publication would never, ever think of fronting a 100% all male roster in 2009. They damn well know the hell they'd catch, and rightfully so! But when it comes to race, it all gets poo-pooed into one very inflammatory "non issue." Hey, it's just the way things are, there are more important things- don't worry, be happy! Bottom line- If qualified women ain't buying it- why the hell should we!?

Yes, it's great other countries and cultures are now stepping up and doing for themselves. And wouldn't it be grand if they could all look up and see just how a truly diverse, multi-ethnic, multi-gender and multi-racial organization can function and thrive- think of how that would further set the example for their fledgling organizations in a world divided by Tutsi and Hutu, Serb and Croat, Muslim and Jew...