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Former CNN Correspondent & SJSU Journalism School Director
California State Lawmakers'
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About Us
ESPN Sportswriter wins 'Curt Gowdy Media Award'
Marc was always so driven and determined in school. We are very proud of his respected body of work in journalism.
My Beloved Sister Passes Away.
Honoring a lifelong ANGEL
Fonnie Rucker was born with Downs Syndrome 66 years ago. Doctors thought she'd live only 25 years. For decades that smile and "beautiful light in her eyes" shined bright, capturing hearts worldwide. Fonnie's Memorial Mass, concelebrated by five San Jose, California diocesan priests, was held September 17, 2022.
A Blessed Family Of Faith & Love
Thanks to our wonderful family & friends worldwide, a lifetime of great joys & loving memories are showcased in an extended photo gallery / music video of treasured times together. Click to see our video:
https://share.vidday.com/e/h-uz5cuj
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 eye- opening & long overdue candid discussions.
Scroll down for discussion links.
Catholic community service 2023
My Thoughts As a Delegate:
The 3-day DSJ Synod General Assembly adjourned Sunday after several high energy full group sessions, and many powerful small group candid sharing sessions by more than 200 eager and very curious Catholic community delegates.
Bishop Oscar Cantu spoke to the full group several times, but continued to refrained from taking questions or sharing much about who he is. He just returned from an overseas trip and was obviously still recovering from an illness.
Nevertheless the bishop led the crafting and offered full assembly presentations during this shrewd, multi-step event process that enabled DSJ delegates to be led by the Holy Spirit as they collectively and respectfully spoke their minds.
The bishop urged everyone to “think big,” and not worry about costs or other practical matters when discussing & prioritizing 94 proposals generated from parish listening sessions in 2022. He said the details resulting from our final top tier proposals could and would be worked out later.
Bishop Cantu said the eventual new DSJ pastoral plan, hopefully to be announced around Pentecost Sunday, will likely take seven years to fully implement in stages. We were strongly encouraged to just be bold and forward thinking in our deliberations.
Ultimately the top 12 ranked final proposals were voted on by the 200+ delegates. Each of the original 94 were crafted by the diocese in advance and were “based on” the comments offered in DSJ parishioner listening group sessions conducted in 2022 among 56 parishes, schools and local religious groups.
These 94 diocese written proposals were presented to delegates via email weeks before the weekend conclave for careful study by us all.Each parishioners' inspired idea was framed & explained by the diocese in writing, and delegates meeting this past weekend were free to offer questions or clarifications based on their own experiences and work in the diocese. Some of the proposal explanations offered were clearly influenced by diocese history and unique perspectives. As a result delegates were enabled to say they agreed, disagreed or were puzzled by diocese interpretations.
All delegates greatly appreciated the total engagement and candor among delegates. Important new and eye-opening insights were freely offered over the three days. Event facilitators and organizers quickly noticed and periodically acknowledged “the electric energy in the room.”
Small group discussions increased in volume during serious and funny interactions. Many times it became difficult to hear people at your own table when the full assembly came back together. No one openly complained. It truly felt invigorating.
Everyone was consistently respectful, professional, friendly and eager to contribute.
Each session was started and continuously rooted in prayer with everyone asking for guidance from The Holy Spirit. Several brief services included beautiful prayers, music and a most powerful “10 minutes of room quiet meditation” before proposal voting. Many priests, nuns and religious were present throughout the weekend. The priests and bishop walked around to observe and listen to all small group talks, but did not join in the group discussions.
At the end of the weekend, comments by event managers’ preselected delegates confirmed this was a unique, positive, moving and historic first ever conclave in the 42 years of the San Jose diocese.
Some participants, however, did walk away disappointed by the top proposal rankings reported out in the last session. They felt the “Tier 1” top 12 ranked items, out of the 94 discussed, seemed very predictable and vague as a priority wish list, and little or nothing “big” would ever be attempted to fully address specific timely and important contemporary social issues. Those specific proposals were also voted on, but many did not get enough delegate votes to reach the tier one list.
At best now they are tucked inside more generally titled, basic on-going goals for most Catholic Church and diocese agendas. While eagerly talked about openly, and sometimes passionately shared by many delegates, the fear at the end was they could easily be passed over or avoided again as too sensitive, stressful or too time consuming to be addressed in parishes. “Generic tier one proposals enable that wiggle room.”
Some delegates wondered aloud at the end, that unlike Jesus, practical assessment of our top 12 proposals might suggest “the diocese was not committing again to fully embracing those struggling on the margins, or those who do not feel welcomed in The Church.”
That could be rectified, however, in the next process step in the review by the DSJ Steering Committee. It must take this delegate Tier 1 priority list, and work to develop a forward looking diocesan strategic plan to present to Bishop Cantu. Some weekend delegates are included on that committee.
It is my fervent hope and prayer that they speak up, and boldly craft an ambitious seven year plan that identifies more closely with the courageousness of general assembly delegates who were profoundly moved and inspired by the Holy Spirit.
I was so proud to be included among this large and heartwarming group of steadfast believers in Jesus who so eagerly want to walk much more closely in the footsteps of Our Lord.
Women Leaders & LGBTQ Inclusion???
The entire San Jose Diocese Catholics last year actively participated in "listening sessions" called for by Pope Francis. All were invited to share their thoughts and more than 7500 ideas and suggestions were generated on how this South Bay diocese should move forward.
Meanwhile. the highest ranking Cardinal in California is now talks about ‘radical inclusion’ for L.G.B.T. people, women and others in the Catholic Church.
Please read the ground-breaking ideas and insights offered by Cardinal Robert W. McElroy...
Enabling 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
Planned: 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
Capturing American History Unfolding.
2020 Global reactions after George Floyd was brutally killed
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
100 years after Tulsa race massacre
Still reckoning with police violence after George Floyd death.
Tulsa 2021: An America Tragedy (CBS, 5/31/21)
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:
Arab & Middle Eastern 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:
People candidly discuss their cultural identities, and share concerns about stereotypes, and false perceptions.
CLICK links to learn briefly about each of these cultures:
How to videotape your Social Identity insights and stories:
People candidly discuss their cultural identities, and share concerns about stereotypes, and false perceptions.
CLICK links to learn briefly about each of these cultures:
Stats: Livermore's Population
Definitions of "Diversity Terms"
Learn about the values and
traditions of others in the world:
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.)
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
Popular TV Entertainment On George Floyd & Police Issues:
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
Popular TV Entertainment On George Floyd & Police Issues:
ABC's Grey's Anatomy & Station 19
Hollywood cauldron of Race Issues."