When it came to political power, blacks need not apply. Add to this steaming stew the growing tensions over the Vietnam War and the movement for civil rights, and you had plenty of elements to fire the imagination of a novice journalist.

Meaning of the quote

In the quote, Andrea Mitchell explains that during her time as a young journalist, there were many important events and issues happening that captured her attention. She mentions that black people were not given the same opportunities for political power as white people. This was combined with the tensions around the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement, creating a complex and challenging situation for a new journalist like herself to report on.

About Andrea Mitchell

Andrea Mitchell is an American television journalist and commentator who works for NBC News in Washington, D.C. She is NBC News’ chief foreign affairs and chief Washington correspondent, and anchors the daily news program ‘Andrea Mitchell Reports’ on MSNBC. In 2019, Mitchell was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Emmy for her journalistic work.

More about the author

More quotes from Andrea Mitchell

When I entered college, it was to study liberal arts. At the University of Pennsylvania, I studied English literature, but I fell in love with broadcasting, with telling stories about other people’s exploits.

Andrea Mitchell

American television anchor

Someday perhaps I’ll have to get a grownup job… but for now I’m having too much fun being a reporter.

Andrea Mitchell

American television anchor

Finally, I told them I’d drop out of the management program if they’d give me an entry-level job in the newsroom for union wages, about fifty dollars a week.

Andrea Mitchell

American television anchor

They put me on the shift where they thought I could do the least harm, midnight to eight in the morning. Although the hours were lousy, they were perfect for an apprentice reporter.

Andrea Mitchell

American television anchor

All they expected me to do was rip and read the wire ‘leads,’ without doing any original reporting. It was pretty basic, but gave me a taste of how to combine my love of politics and broadcasting.

Andrea Mitchell

American television anchor

As kids, we traded ‘I like Ike’ and ‘All the way with Adlai’ buttons in elementary school.

Andrea Mitchell

American television anchor

It was a presidential election year, and as a member of a consortium of Ivy League radio stations, we participated in ‘network’ coverage of election night.

Andrea Mitchell

American television anchor

Once again, no one in charge had given any thought to the possibility that a woman would be involved.

Andrea Mitchell

American television anchor

Philadelphia reflected the national turmoil over race and the Vietnam War, often exploding on my watch.

Andrea Mitchell

American television anchor

When it came to political power, blacks need not apply. Add to this steaming stew the growing tensions over the Vietnam War and the movement for civil rights, and you had plenty of elements to fire the imagination of a novice journalist.

Andrea Mitchell

American television anchor