COLUMN: Importance of Minority Representation in Media
I was recently presented with the information that, to date, there are no Black centered West Virginia news or media publications, one Black editor for a mainstream WV news publication, and no Black reporters on any West Virginian print media payroll.
The information was revealed via a Twitter post by poet and folk reporter Crystal Good.
“Please, West Virginia correct me if I am wrong. To date: ZERO Black centered West Virginia news/media publications. To date: One Black editor for a mainstream WV news pub. To date: ZERO Black reporters on anyone West Virginia’s print media payroll,” the tweet states.
This is alarming.
As a journalist, I have learned that “the media” is responsible for reporting and informing the public about the happenings of the world around them and the way their neighbors feel about those happenings. However, without Black representation behind the scenes, these duties cannot be upheld properly – and possibly ethically as well.
As a Black journalist, I understand the importance of diversity in the media. It isn’t difficult to grasp. Diversity is essential in any workplace to ensure that everyone is respected, has their needs met, and has a voice. The media, especially, NEEDS diversity. It is our livelihood to tell stories. If the stories that we decide to tell are chosen by a team lacking diversity, minority groups may not be given the platform that they deserve.
As a Black journalist and news editor who was born and raised in rural West Virginia, I promise there are minorities that need their stories told in this state. This is not exclusive to the Black community, but it seems there is a need for West Virginian Black voices to be heard and seen in our media. People of color are often erased from the Appalachian narrative, and I believe there needs to be an initiative to amplify the voices that have been silenced for so long. This starts in the newsroom. We can, and we will, do better.
Isabella Robinson can be contacted at [email protected].
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Anonymous • Sep 2, 2020 at 1:52 am
I truly relished reading this article Ms.Robinson, but there are a few problems, you discuss diversity in this article, but you look at it only from the racial standpoint(which isn’t bad), but how about black people who aren’t from West Virginia and who are different from you socially?.
Diversity doesn’t just apply because a person is Black, but when you do that you must take into account their background and who they are socially. You have to understand the person as a whole to understand true diversity. In order to understand black people in the Appalachian, black people must be understood outside of it. African Americans in the Appalachian are very different from African Americans who come from areas with higher Black/minority residency because WV isn’t a diverse place. Maybe for the LGBTQ+ community, but not for the black community. I feel that you all look at us and only think about the fact that we are black and you don’t think about our backgrounds(adversity and all). I feel like until you can sit with a group that is different from you socially, with mindset wise, and there not majority white then you don’t understand diversity. When you have true black friends and you understand their backgrounds(other than people from the Appalachian) then you can talk about diversity(you have freedom to deal with who you want, but you must step out of your comfort zone at times).
You’ve proven negligent in that regard and you don’t truly fathom the word diversity thoroughly. You’ve ruined someone’s experience at Marshall because of that negligence and lack of experience. A minority tried to be your friend/ associate and you completely knocked that person down. That person couldn’t make friends on campus; their voice wasn’t heard and was disregarded and they were knocked down because of their background and they’re not an Appalachian Negro. That is not diversity nor understanding. WV lacks more understanding than diversity which is why WV has diversity issues(also because there are a lot of white people who don’t focus on the true minorities(true meaning not LGBTQ+ citizens)). A person background is important not just because they’re an Appalachian Negro, but because they are Black and black is analogous with so many backgrounds and groups. Pay attention to that! (I know I will be chastised and berated for using the word “Negro”, but I don’t care.)
These times are auspicious times to discuss diversity, but the way how you discuss it I don’t completely agree with.
Peace to you my black sister and keep up the good work!
Your humble servant.
Anonymous • Sep 2, 2020 at 1:50 am
I truly relished reading this article Ms.Robinson, but there are a few problems, you discuss diversity in this article, but you look at it only from the racial standpoint(which isn’t bad), but how about black people who aren’t from West Virginia and who are different from you socially?.
Diversity doesn’t just apply because a person is Black, but when you do that you must take into account their background and who they are socially. You have to understand the person as a whole to understand true diversity. In order to understand black people in the Appalachian, black people must be understood outside of it. African Americans in the Appalachian are very different from African Americans who come from areas with higher Black/minority residency because WV isn’t a diverse place. Maybe for the LGBTQ+ community, but not for the black community. I feel that you all look at us and only think about the fact that we are black and you don’t think about our backgrounds(adversity and all). I feel like until you can sit with a group that is different from you socially, with mindset wise, and there not majority white then you don’t understand diversity. When you have true black friends and you understand their backgrounds(other than people from the Appalachian) then you can talk about diversity(you have freedom to deal with who you want, but you must step out of your comfort zone at times).
You’ve proven negligent in that regard and you don’t truly fathom the word diversity thoroughly. You’ve ruined someone’s experience at Marshall because of that negligence and lack of experience. A minority tried to be your friend/ associate and you completely knocked that person down. That person couldn’t make friends on campus; their voice wasn’t heard and was disregarded and they were knocked down because of their background and they’re not an Appalachian Negro. That is not diversity nor understanding. WV lacks more understanding than diversity which is why WV has diversity issues(also because there are a lot of white people who don’t focus on the true minorities(true meaning not LGBTQ+ citizens)). A person background is important not just because they’re an Appalachian Negro, but because they are Black and black is analogous with so many backgrounds and groups. Pay attention to that! (I know I will be chastised and berated for using the word “Negro”, but I don’t care.)
These times are auspicious times to discuss diversity, but the way how you discuss it I don’t completely agree with.
Peace to you my black sister and keep up the good work!
Your humble servant.