Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Rice Laments Lack of Black Diplomats

Calls shortage of African-Americans 'unacceptable'

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 9, 2008 12:15 PM CDT

(Newser) – Condoleezza Rice may be the second African American to become secretary of state, but she remains unimpressed by the number of blacks in the foreign service. "I can go into a whole day of meetings at the Department of State and actually rarely see somebody who looks like me. And that is just not acceptable," said the nation's top diplomat.

Rice was speaking at a conference of leaders of historically black colleges, and she praised federal initiatives to get students at those universities to undertake language training and study-abroad opportunities. "I want to see a foreign service that looks as if black Americans are part of this great country," Rice concluded.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice waits to speak before the National Historically Black Colleges and Universities annual conference in Washington, Monday, Sept. 8, 2008.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice waits to speak before the National Historically Black Colleges and Universities annual conference in Washington, Monday, Sept. 8, 2008.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice listens during a joint press conference with Libyan Foreign Minister Abd al-Rahman Shalgham.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice listens during a joint press conference with Libyan Foreign Minister Abd al-Rahman Shalgham.   (AP Photo/Abdel Magid Al Fergany )
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is greeted by Stillman College President Ernest McNealey at the National Historically Black Colleges and Universities annual conference in Washington.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is greeted by Stillman College President Ernest McNealey at the National Historically Black Colleges and Universities annual conference in Washington.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Bush and Condi Find Something to Celebrate

'You Won't Hear From Me'

Rice Has Nothing Left to Prove

Rice Set for Historic Meet With Gadhafi

Condi Debunks Veep Rumors


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne