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I recently was offered an editor job at a small California investigative journalism nonprofit I respect. It seemed like a really interesting opportunity. I noted to the founder/editor that diversity seemed to be a challenge there. 1/
The entire staff (and board) is white and I haven't found a single article written by a person of color. When I mentioned to the editor that I wanted to diversify the freelance pool, this was his response: "We're not woke." 2/
The editor went on to explain why he was reluctant to bring in diverse journalists. "I don't want them writing about racial justice and stuff like that. That's not what we do here." 3/
I explained that 1) a journalist of color can write about any issue a white journalist can, and 2) racial justice can and should be part of a lot of investigative stories. He didn't buy it. 4/
Aside from those massive red flags, this editor had no answer when I asked how he measured success ("That's impossible to do in journalism," he said) and he told me he wasn't interested in my ideas on strengthening the reporting and reputation. ("Stay in your lane.") 5/
This isn't meant to shame anyone, but rather to serve as food for thought. If you don't care about your audience and making the world a better place, what's the point? 6/6
Update: I'm still considering whether to name the publication. I wouldn't want to hurt the reporters there. But, to address some guesses, it was NOT Cap&Main.
