Why is the reporter in Luhrmann's adaption of Romeo and Juliet African-American? What is the effect of this?

The reason why the reporter in Baz Luhrmann's film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet is African-American is because this film represents "pop" or popular culture. The characters in this film are all played by people of different nationalities and colors. Baz Luhrmann presents the fact that the many different cultures and colors in our modern day society clash and explode when brought together. If we look around us today, we find that the different cultures and nationalities do not live harmoniously together.