Style Weekly's editor says Media Watch column unfair

Dear Editor,

I was disappointed to see that you've criticized me publicly for asking sincere questions of you before responding to your interview request. But I can't say it's unexpected, considering your history of twisting of the truth in your media column ["Chesterfield has more diversity than other counties," Feb. 6] to suit your paper's business (as publisher) and to again serve up some good PR for Chesterfield County government.

Some people might call my questions "avoidance"? I'd call it preparation, in order to give you the feedback you sought from me. Of course, you never really answered my questions.

You never did say why you consider "diversity" to equate to a crude chart of "black males" and "white females." If I don't understand the criteria of the study, or your definition of diversity, how can I respond? Perhaps you haven't been to diversity training, but I figured by 2008 most people would realize that diversity is about more than two different colors of skin. It involves a variety of backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, disabilities, cultural backgrounds, age and on and on.

Some people might say that setting up a "study" to suit your own argument is a little disingenuous. Such a process, naturally, is much more helpful in making your argument. Unfortunately in the long run it ends up being meaningless. But at least you got a column out of it and a self-satisfied shot at the competition.

Jason Roop

Editor, Style Weekly