A THREAD: It’s disorienting, the way historically white-staffed media outlets & white editors have overnight developed this thirst for Black writers, esp. those whose pitches and work have always centered Black voices, culture, and history. I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone.

No acknowledgment of previous pitch rejections. No apology for not really caring about a wide breadth of Black voices and stories when they're NOT trendy. How can it not be pandering, even from the most well-meaning white people?

Here’s an example of something that just *sent* me this afternoon: A notification for an Apple News collection pops on to my phone. It read “All about Juneteenth: what the holiday stands for, and how to celebrate” | @AppleNews

Back in June 2019, I applied for an @AppleNews editor job. Had 2 phone interviews, incl. one w/ Editor @thebergfather. Recruiter said they went very well. Was asked to submit a writing exercise: two curated collections in the same format as their Apple News collections. Cool.

I drafted 2 collections, one of which was “Your Guide to Juneteenth.” See screenshots of my concept for this collection below. I worked hard searching for & curating a comprehensive collection, given that Juneteenth was *barely* covered the way it’s being covered this year.

I submitted the writing exercise on June 21. Didn’t hear back from the recruiter. Normally, would have let it go, but I was proud of my work, so I followed up twice more in July. Finally got 1 response 7/18. An apology for the delay & was told my draft still hadn’t been reviewed.

Finally in Aug, I’m told they're "slightly torn" & are passing. Now, I know I'm not gonna get every job, but after great interviews & writing exercises - 1 of which was *CLEARLY* good enough for them to feat. this year when Black lives & history are on trend - a pass via email...

To be clear, I was okay w/ not getting the job, minus the delayed reply. This is about media's lost potential. Do y’all see what I mean when I say this is maddening? Do you see why so many Black journalists committed to elevating Black voices and stories have LEFT this industry?

Do you understand why I wrote this essay? This line refers specifically to these kinds of moments:
"We wonder if rejections are about the story idea or the fact that it focused on a Black person or issue specific to Black people. Or both?" https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/29/opinion/coronavirus-black-people-media.html

There has been no transition into this sudden interest in and trending of Black lives and that is dangerous. How does an abused person deal with an overnight change of heart from their omnipresent abuser? Particularly one who showers you w/ attention w/o acknowledging that abuse?

The lack of acknowledgment of exclusion, disregard & disinterest has a gaslighting affect, as if the lacking means there’s nothing to admit/apologize for. But where can you go if ur not ready to leave the industry & these outlets are the ones that pay best? *Sigh* Y'all feel me?