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    • Prof Bob
    • Update News
    • Fonnie Rucker
    • Diversity In Media
    • Visionaries in Media
  • Prof Bob
  • Update News
  • Fonnie Rucker
  • Diversity In Media
  • Visionaries in Media

pROFBOBSJSU.COM

Former CNN Correspondent & SJSU Journalism School Director

Former CNN Correspondent & SJSU Journalism School DirectorFormer CNN Correspondent & SJSU Journalism School DirectorFormer CNN Correspondent & SJSU Journalism School Director

California State Honor 2021

BLM  wokesjsu.com

TV Academy 

2020 Natl. Hearst Award

BR YouTube 


Email:

bobrucker@emmysf.tv


Profbob bio
Dear Friend & Former U of Illinois, UC Student

CNN's Drew Griffin Dies

STORY & vIDEO TRIBUTE
My Beloved Sister Passes Away.

Honoring a lifelong ANGEL

My sister Fonnie Rucker was born with Downs Syndrome 66 years ago. Doctors thought she'd  live only 25 years. For decades the "beautiful light in her eyes" shined bright, and captured hearts worldwide. Fonnie's Memorial Mass, concelebrated by five San Jose, California  diocesan priests, was held September 17, 2022.

Bio & Photo Gallery
Grateful For Family & Friends Love

2022 was indeed a difficult year of personal loss, but a lifetime of fun & loving memories with our families and friends helped lift our spirits. This extended musical photo gallery showcases some treasured times.

Click to see video:


https://share.vidday.com/e/h-uz5cuj


Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! 

Bob's YouTube Channel
TV Academy Board of Governors - San Francisco Chapter

Special recognition 2022

'NATAS' is the premier and most recognized non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of excellence in television. Prof. Rucker now chairs the SF Chapter Diversity Committee, and engages members in very candid and long overdue discussion ab issues and concerns in the broadcast industry. See video links below.

TV Academy Citation
Tribute Offers TV Industry Congratulations!

2022: A local San Francisco CBS anchor salutes his former professor for nearly 40 years of distinguished service to broadcast journalism in television, and in university teaching & career advising. Several former students, from SJSU and U of Illinois UC, also join in this very special celebration.

Bob's YouTube Channel

2020: Prof bob hosts nATIONAL honor.

lONG OVERDUE TV Industry conversations

Understanding What 'Diversity Inclusion' Means

This very revealing new 2022 series by the San Francisco  & NorCal Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' breaks new ground as it candidly explores the life experiences and cultural concerns of professionals  working in television news.


February: Impact of George Floyd & BLM Global Protests


March: Women in Television News, Their History & Now


April: Muslims & Middle Eastern Journalists Concerns


May: Asian TV Journalists / Hate Experiences Revealed


June: LGBTQ Journalists, The"Invisible Diversity"on TV


September: Latino/Spanish Speaking Journalists Share


Prof. Bob Rucker produces these candid insider conversations, and draws out  thoughtful  interactions for better understanding of  what individual cultural identities bring to the TV industry. They also discover and inspire common ground for continuing discussions at broadcast stations nationwide . These eye opening talks help energize brainstorming in newsrooms looking to do more meaningful storytelling that informs, and connects with all viewers from every cultural community.


Read: Focus less on salary, more on inclusion


Find out more
Remembering a life changing experience!

2020 Zoom Reunion of SJSU Alumni who traveled while at SJSU through historic sites of the Civil Rights Movement to learn-up close what it took for a Black man to be elected President of the United States in 2008. 

<--Click image to hear how that experience has influenced their lives. More reactions below.

Flashback: 2009 Inauguration trip
We Started Out Together in TV News!

Our 2021 Zoom Reunion

Eager to prove ourselves in the 1970s, this feisty group worked in Des Moines, Iowa to bring  something new to local TV viewers. We proudly remember how we "busted our tails" before moving on in broadcasting & other professions.

Bob Later in Philadelphia

2014 Flashback: 

For six years Prof Bob was Director of the SJSU School of Journalism and Mass Communications where students studied journalism, advertising and public relations. Many have gone on to very successful digital media careers nationwide, and around the world!

students SHARE THEIR diversity LIFE experiences:

For more than 25 years, San Jose State University students in Prof. Bob Rucker's "Diversity In Media" course were taught how to create a safe space for large group candid interactions about personal experiences related to race & ethnic cultures, gender, sexual orientation, religious cultures and disabilities. Since 2017, the television facility in the Journalism School enabled students, campus faculty and community leaders to record and share experiences as learning opportunities. 


afghan Professionals share global Media experiences

In 2013, San Jose State University Journalism School  special guests from Afghanistan, media professors from Herat and Balkh Universities, report on the cultural differences they have noticed while spending more than two months in the United States.  Click the image for a special report produced for KQED-TV in the San Francisco Bay Area,  Laily Habib, Basir Daneshyar, Maria Raheen, Faisal Karimi, Shafiqa Fahim, Parwana Taskin and Dean Mohammad Nazari. See another related 'Equal Time' story.



Two Emmy Award Winning Former Students Guest Lecture:


2020 Prof. Bob retires at sjsu

Fond Memories Treasured.

In December, 2020, at the end of Prof. Bob's last MCOM 105: Diversity in Media class, many offer fun insights on his  30 years of teaching 

at San Jose State University

Videos:

Professional colleagues & more former student comments.


Prof. Bob Rucker's YouTube Channel 

See videos of his interviews & class guest interactions in 2020.


Capturing American History Unfolding.

2020 Global reactions after George Floyd was brutally killed

wokesjsu.com

tools for co-Facilitating LIVERMORE Discussions on race

    MORE DIVERSITY INSIGHTS FROM PROFESSIONALS' PERSONAL STORIES: 

    A brilliant young intellectual, outstanding writer, activist and comedian, Baratunde Thurston offers thoughtful and humorous suggestions on racism and police encounters.  How To Deconstruct Racism, One Headline At A Time


    Resources for classes

    In Plain Sight:

    Meeting This Moment in History:

    Sharing Life Experiences:

    Those subtle and overt examples of racism in our daily lives. Students at San Jose State University respectfully share candidly:

    Video: Racism: My Experience


    Two Bay Area police pros on BLM:

    Kim Petersen, Fremont PD Chief      

    Sean Washington, PD Captain

    Sharing Life Experiences:

    Meeting This Moment in History:

    Sharing Life Experiences:

    Video Examples:

    White people on race.

    Asians respond to racism.

    Latinos on racism.

    Native Americans on race.

    #LivingWhileBlack

    Afro-Latinos Want You To Know

    Arabs: How You See Me

    Middle East rap video insights


    Lean into race conversations.

    Meeting This Moment in History:

    Meeting This Moment in History:

    Meeting This Moment in History:

    Why silence is not the answer.

    Station 19:  "Get Up. Stand Up." 

    Asians: How You See Me

    Blacks: How You See Me

    Mixed race life experiences.

    Daddy, what's a racist?


    Storytelling #4

    What was learned & missed?

    "Let them go."  (Tyler Perry) 

    Black is beautiful beer

    Black is beautiful project (NPR)

    Background information:

    What's Going On & Unique Reactions

    Livermore Storytelling Sessions: 'Hearing Your Truths'

    Livermore Storytelling Sessions: 'Hearing Your Truths'

    Screen TV episode: 

    Station 19:  "Get Up. Stand Up." Season 4  Episode 12

    Video Streamed via YouTube


    Latinos and the Police


    100 years after Tulsa race massacre


    Diversity & Corporate America


    CNN reporter's thoughts on

    George Floyd killing,  2020


    Still reckoning with police violence after George Floyd death.


    Tulsa 2021: An America Tragedy (CBS, 5/3

    Screen TV episode: 

    Station 19:  "Get Up. Stand Up." Season 4  Episode 12

    Video Streamed via YouTube


    Latinos and the Police


    100 years after Tulsa race massacre


    Diversity & Corporate America


    CNN reporter's thoughts on

    George Floyd killing,  2020


    Still reckoning with police violence after George Floyd death.


    Tulsa 2021: An America Tragedy (CBS, 5/31/21)

    Three Myths About Racism

    Creating Racially Just Workplaces

    Ten lessons for talking race
    Saying publicly "I'm a racist." 


    "Not the end of the story." Washington Post Opinion, 4/21/21 


    TV's "Friends" lack of diversity, 2021


    Facebook called "toxic workplace environment"  4/23/21


    Racial bias in the U.S. Military, 3/18/21


    CA pastor enables people to publicly say they are racist to help heal. 2/23/21

    Americans see Blacks, Asians & Latinos all facing discrimination


    Denver mayor talks about who they are and being a 'welcoming place,' 2017


    INFO & INSIGHTS ON:

    African Americans

    Arab & Middle Eastern Americans

    Asian Americans

    Haitians

    Latinos

    Native Americans



    Livermore Storytelling Sessions: 'Hearing Your Truths'

    Livermore Storytelling Sessions: 'Hearing Your Truths'

    Livermore Storytelling Sessions: 'Hearing Your Truths'

    How to videotape your Social Identity insights and stories:

     "HOW YOU SEE ME" 

    People candidly discuss their cultural identities, and share concerns about stereotypes, and false perceptions.


    CLICK links to learn briefly about each of these cultures:


    ARABS    ASIANS    BLACKS

    LATINO   WOMEN    MEN     LGBTQ

    DISABILITY   

    WHY LABELS MATTER

    UNDERSTA

    How to videotape your Social Identity insights and stories:

     "HOW YOU SEE ME" 

    People candidly discuss their cultural identities, and share concerns about stereotypes, and false perceptions.


    CLICK links to learn briefly about each of these cultures:


    ARABS    ASIANS    BLACKS

    LATINO   WOMEN    MEN     LGBTQ

    DISABILITY   

    WHY LABELS MATTER

    UNDERSTANDING

    THE VICTIM CARD


    Stats: Livermore's Population

    City Council Norms & Values


    Definitions of "Diversity Terms"


    Learn about the values and 

    traditions of others in the world:

    Cultural Atlas


    SCHOLARLY REPORTS:


    Robin DiAngelo - Author 

    Racial & Social Justice  Her Video: Explaining common excuses 

    Examining systematic racism 2021


    Stephen O. Roberts citations in:

    Apathy toward systems of racial advantage or denial they exist, 2020  


    Bay Area Police on Black Lives Matter

    Bay Area Police on Black Lives Matter

    Bay Area Police on Black Lives Matter

    Insightful interactions on video:


    Fremont, California Police Chief Kimberly Petersen  speaks with Prof. Rucker about her career, BLM, and her diverse family.  (Announced her retirement in 2021)

     

    African American Fremont Police Captain Sean Washington shares his personal insights on BLM. (Announced as the next Fremont, CA Police Chief.)


    Capt.

    Insightful interactions on video:


    Fremont, California Police Chief Kimberly Petersen  speaks with Prof. Rucker about her career, BLM, and her diverse family.  (Announced her retirement in 2021)

     

    African American Fremont Police Captain Sean Washington shares his personal insights on BLM. (Announced as the next Fremont, CA Police Chief.)


    Capt. Washington speaks to SJSU Diversity in Media class, Fall 2020.


    Former San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia opens up about 2020 unrest  ( He's now the  Dallas police chief. )


    Meeting This Important Moment

    Bay Area Police on Black Lives Matter

    Bay Area Police on Black Lives Matter

    America is finally ready to share.

    Learn how to approach friends &

    neighbors in meaningful ways to create a welcoming environment.


    Smithsonian: 

    How to Talk about Racism & Racial Identity

    PBS Kids:
    Talking Race & Racial Identity


    Sesame Street Talks More

    Explicitly About Race


    Popular TV Entertainment On George Floyd & Police Issues:


    ABC's Grey's 

    America is finally ready to share.

    Learn how to approach friends &

    neighbors in meaningful ways to create a welcoming environment.


    Smithsonian: 

    How to Talk about Racism & Racial Identity

    PBS Kids:
    Talking Race & Racial Identity


    Sesame Street Talks More

    Explicitly About Race


    Popular TV Entertainment On George Floyd & Police Issues:


    ABC's Grey's Anatomy & Station 19 


    "White Guilt & Apologies -

    Hollywood cauldron of Race Issues."




    SPECIAL VIDEOS

    Veteran Black Police Officer on BLM.

    Veteran Black Police Officer on BLM.

    Veteran Black Police Officer on BLM.

    Veteran African American Bay Area police captain shares personal experiences and feelings about a local Black Lives Protest in 2020. Due to Covid 19 pandemic health restrictions, interviews were recorded on Zoom.


    During the fall semester at San Jose State University,

    Diversity in Media students had an extraordinary follow-up class interaction with Fremont Police Captain Sean Washington.  


    Fremont, CA. police chief opens up about BLM in 2020.


    More videos on Prof. Bob Rucker's YouTube Channel  

    Tributes for Prof Bob Rucker.

    Veteran Black Police Officer on BLM.

    Veteran Black Police Officer on BLM.

    After teaching journalism and mass communications at San Jose State University for more than 30 years, Prof. Bob Rucker retired in December, 2020.


    Many Bay Area media friends, colleagues and former students  pay tribute, and congratulate Prof. Bob on the impact he has had on generations of journalists.


    This video was produced by former students Ryan Kern, Kiet Do and Kevin Rule, and include comments from  many others all across the United States.


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