Writer at NYC exhibit of Black comics laments lack of diversity at other conventions

Here's a Reuters report from a few weeks ago, when the Black Comic Book Festival was being held, and wouldn't you know it, somebody makes a big deal out of alleged lack of diversity, rather than merit:

"I think for me, you know, comic conventions as a whole, there's not a heck of a lot of diversity," he told Reuters. "I think even the comic book field itself doesn't really give us a diverse look as to types of stories, types of characters... it seemed like this was the place where I could really speak to the people who like my work."

Sterling's graphic novels focus on diverse stories about under-represented characters.

Which is fine in itself, but what does the above interviewee mean by little diversity at conventions in their entirety? I have no doubt it's been far from the case for years, and there's been plenty of people from all racial backgrounds attending, both as creators and as audience, so while a specialty convention is fine, why must there be complaints about other conventions lacking what they represent? Why doesn't entertainment value count? That's the vibe I got reading this. Of course, if there is a lack, it could hint how the whole push and shove for diversity over the past decade by the left really is phony, yet nobody's willing to discuss it objectively.

Again, specialty conventions can be great in themselves. But if nobody will argue about the dire state of mainstream comicdom's merit, or even the independent scene, it's no wonder poor quality will continue anywhere.