They handed out the Academy Awards of the newspaper racket this week.
The Pulitzer Prize is the nation's highest honor for journalism and the arts, named after iconic newspaper baron Joseph Pulitzer and doled out by Columbia University.
No, the Delaware County Daily Times did not snag an award this year.
But Delaware County did.
As did the city where we trace our roots back to the days of the Chester Times.
Brent Staples, a proud Chester native and graduate of Widener University, won the Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing for his work at the New York Times.
As someone who crafts an editorial - which though usually are anonymous but in effect stand as the official position of the newspaper - I offer an old wag's tip of the cap to Staples.
The Pulitzer board cited Staples' sterling work in crafting editorials “written with extraordinary moral clarity that charted the racial fault lines in the United States at a polarizing moment in the nation’s history.”
He also is an accomplished author. His works include "An American Love Story" and "Parallel Time: Growing up In Black and White," acclaimed for their view American political, social and cultural issues, including race.
The oldest of nine siblings, Staples grew up close to the Widener campus in Chester. As a young man, Staples connected with Widener Professor Eugene Sparrow, who provided mentorship and guidance at a critical point in his life, according to a release from the university. Staples attributes the encouragement from Sparrow and support from the Project Prepare program for his academic success at Widener.
Staples enrolled in the university in 1969 when it was then known as Penn Morton College. In 1973, he earned a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science and graduated with cum laude honors. After earning a doctoral degree at the University of Chicago, Staples briefly returned to Widener for one summer as a visiting scholar of psychology before embarking on a career in journalism.
Staples began his journalism career began as a staff reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times in the early 1980’s. Shortly after, he accepted a position at the New York Times where he has served in various capacities, including editor of the book review and an assistant editor for metropolitan news. In 1990, he joined the Times’ editorial board, a position he still holds today.
For decades, Staples lent his voice as a journalist and an author to identify the truth about racial justice and culture in America. His work captures universal themes that consistently challenge preconceptions and stereotypes and remains an important influence on American politics and culture.
“On behalf of Widener University, I extend sincere congratulations to Brent Staples on his remarkable accomplishment,” said Widener President Julie E. Wollman.
“We are very proud to have contributed to the foundation for Mr. Staples’ exceptional career in journalism. Mr. Staples’ dedication to composing morally and ethically rich and challenging work serves as an example for every student at Widener as we focus on developing habits of civic engagement and a commitment to social justice.”
Include the editor of the Daily Times on that list. The Pulitzers honor the very best in journalism.
They picked the right guy in Brent Staples.
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