Reporting While Black

Throughout my short time thus far in Capstone, I have learned the fundamentals of being a journalist. Considered the fourth estate, journalists have a duty to protect citizens by keeping the government in check. Without journalists, the house would crumble and citizens would be kept unaware of what they have the right to know. The difference between a journalist and someone sitting at home writing an article online is the moral oath we take to protect our community, defend the public’s right to know, tell the truth, and be fair to all. As a Black female journalist, it is extremely important that I honor and uphold my oath. The questions commonly running through my mind are, Are my facts correct? Am I fair? Is my story in context? Does my story have F(fair). A(accurate).I(interesting)T(thorough). H(human)? In a world that is so unforgiving of mistakes, especially of those who are POC, the stakes are indefinitely higher to be just, truthful, and fair to all.

One of the arguably biggest hurdles Black journalists have overcome is the spread of diversity, specifically hair, in the news. Truthfully, throughout my college career, I was always anxious about transitioning from my HBCU, where all hair types and styles are praised to a world lacking knowledge or acceptance. From Black kids in school being told by their administrator that hair was not ‘normal’, to others, such as student Deandre Arnold being told that he couldn’t walk the stage at graduation unless he cut his dreadlocks, I was terrified of what people would think of me in front of their television screen. However, through the outrage of citizens which overflowed the media, there was a law put in place to help protect those from discrimination. As shown on thecrownact.com, “The CROWN Act was created in 2019 by Dove and the CROWN Coalition, in partnership with then State Senator Holly J. Mitchell of California, to ensure protection against discrimination based on race-based hairstyles by extending statutory protection to hair texture and protective styles such as braids, locs, twists, and knots in the workplace and public schools.”

Though this may not change the individual biases people may have, the CROWN Act is a step closer to fighting discrimination in the workplace, making it inclusive for Black women like me who aspire to unapologetically be themselves in front of the camera. Only time will tell the difference I will make in my career field. Speaking presently, I know that I am ambitious, curious, truthful, and committed to making an impact in my community, and hopefully one day, nationally. In a world that lacks Black voices, I hope to use mine for the betterment of journalists, especially Black female journalists, whom I’ve often looked up to for the duration of my life. I want to inspire young men and women to make a difference in your community, no matter your background, ethnicity, or hairstyle. I look forward to all the work to come this semester, and making an impact day by day in my community