Finding a job as a writer can take several months and even years before getting your big break. Elder editors and reporters keep their seats warm with tenure making it seemingly impossible for aspiring writers to get their foot into the door. To add another layer of difficulty..writing while black.
Sadly, the majority of us will never have the luxury of becoming the Carrie Bradshaw with melanin.
Newsroom employment has experienced a sharp decline in the last 20 years, meaning fewer opportunities for black journalists.
You’re lucky if you see more than two black reporters on-air at a local shop.
The voice of your token black reporter is so important.#hireblackwriters and hear her out.#hireblackwriters and use her stories.
— Maya K. (@mayaaliah) June 28, 2016
Even then, they’re likely pigeonholed into stereotypical stories or silenced about stories positively highlighting the black community as a whole. Yes, there are the Being Mary Jane’s of the world, running their respective newsrooms advocating for well-balanced stories featuring black figures. But there’s also the Mary Jane who is just happy to keep her job and has no room to speak up on pressing matters in the newsroom. If she pulled half the stunts as Mary Jane Paul in real life, then it would be a trip to HR or even the reality of losing out on work because “you weren’t a good fit”.
Writers, journalists and creatives came out in full force on Twitter to expand on the issues confronting black writers within the industry using the hashtag #HireBlackWriters.
Problem number one is clearly the lack of black voices.
You’re trying to appeal to the black demographic but have no black people on staff. #HireBlackWriters
— Alexander (@SirRWalters) June 28, 2016
There must be a space for black writers to uncover riveting and compelling stories just as their white counterparts.
#HireBlackWriters and don’t pigeonhole us into solely writing op-eds on race and culture. We do a damn good job on reporting stories, too.
— Taryn Finley (@_TARYNitUP) June 28, 2016
Because all too often, a publication will want the black body, but not the voice to accompany it.
#HireBlackWriters and not the ones who shuck and jive to increase your readership, hire the ones who add depth to your content.
— Marie (@Maria_Giesela) May 14, 2016
Matters become especially difficult when you work for a publication, not hip to issues in diverse cultures and quick to whitewash every single piece.
#hireblackwriters because our stories are ours to tell.
— lay-ken. ☥ (@lakinimani) June 28, 2016
Having representation in social media editor jobs is all too important.
#HireBlackWriters who understand the intersection of gender, race and class + the importance of fact checking to run your social.
— Maya ☔️ (@mayascade) June 28, 2016
When you fail to do all of the above you will get this and cultural appropriation.
@usweekly #hireblackwriters the ” good hair” you speak of is an effect of racism/ colonialism/imperialism around the world.This is no bueno
— A. (@a_isbold16) June 28, 2016
Facts only.
I could go in all day about how many dope black writers I know. There’s no shortage of us. #HireBlackWriters
— Taryn Finley (@_TARYNitUP) June 28, 2016
Organizations just as the National Association of Black Journalists work effortlessly each year to ensure blacks are represented in media jobs from all perspectives. The rest is up to the hiring process. Maybe scale back on some of this diversity training in the workplace and bring in black professionals who are experts on diverse living.
