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Sooooo, was waiting to do this to at least give space for @KUT not to only implement changes that would help their “diversity” problem but for them to openly acknowledge the damage they have done to so many black and brown reporters.
This thread is not for retribution, rather a way to make newsrooms understand that “doing the work” means openly talking about blind spots from the past without allowing white fragility to keep these conversations from actually happening.
. @KUT was my 1st job which I got while still in college before eventually graduating and taking a full time role.
The amount of microaggressions as well as an excuses for not improving was ridiculous and damaging to both my mental health and confidence as a reporter.
The amount of microaggressions as well as an excuses for not improving was ridiculous and damaging to both my mental health and confidence as a reporter.
As many know, @KUT has had a past entrenched in TOXIC newsroom culture.
Many remember the rampaging Emily Donahue who caused emotional damage to many black and brown reporters in the newsroom. https://current.org/2018/09/austins-kut-wrestles-with-serious-problems-in-newsroom-culture/
Many remember the rampaging Emily Donahue who caused emotional damage to many black and brown reporters in the newsroom. https://current.org/2018/09/austins-kut-wrestles-with-serious-problems-in-newsroom-culture/
I do want to preface this by saying that my first day as an intern was Emily’s last day in the newsroom. So I luckily did not have to deal with her.
But she was eventually, what many black and brown journos call, “fired up” to a grant writing position in the business office.
But she was eventually, what many black and brown journos call, “fired up” to a grant writing position in the business office.
Here another piece by the @AustinChronicle detailing how she resigned after shit hit the fan about her past at the station: https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2018-12-21/kuts-news-director-departs/
Now, what’s important to remember is that just because someone “toxic” leaves a newsroom doesn’t mean that the culture that allowed that harassment to cultivate goes with it. In fact it continues to thrive.
Now, what’s important to remember is that she is also the wife of David Brown, the current host of the @TexasStandard which has failed to acknowledge the abuse they too have done to reporters.
Hence, Alain’s thread: https://twitter.com/AlainStephens/status/1276186678307090432
Hence, Alain’s thread: https://twitter.com/AlainStephens/status/1276186678307090432
There also a problem last year where tape of David Brown disrespecting the Spanish language. Here’s his as well as @KUT’s half-ass apology about the incident: https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/texas-standard-looks-inward-and-responds-to-personnel-and-culture-concerns/
If you want more information about this toxic culture, David or just KUT in general here’s a brilliant episode where @brendapsalinas talks about her experience on @LewisPants podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-view-from-somewhere/id1481617425?i=1000466615721
Now, I haven’t even gotten into the issues I’ve faced. What I posted above is not all the bs but it gives a sort of idea of how this institution has upheld oppressive newsroom culture.
Here’s a list of several incidents that happens during my more than 2 years there that still stick with me to this day:
I was asked whether I had any black family members or knew of anyone that was giving their baby up for adoption because someone’s white girlfriend was in social work and wanted to “give back” to that community by adopting that said baby.
I was laughed at in the face TWICE when asking for a raise from my editor.
I was told that there was a concerned I would be tokenized if I covered black stories in the community, without realizing that I was already that token by being the first black woman in their newsroom in 15 years. THE ONLY FOR @NPR IN THE STATE AT THE TIME, may I add.
A fried chicken joke was made towards me by John Burnett, I front of other reporters who saw as well. “Handling” the situation resulted in upper management “talking” to him... whatever tf that means with not apology or accountability on his part
This same well-respected reporter also once told me that he didn’t know whether there were many black immigrant in Austin because he didn’t see any driving taxis in the city... I til this day don’t know WTF that was supposed to mean
Honestly, I could go on. And so many other black and brown reporters could as well.
My point is, if we say we’re ready to move forward and change our newsrooms, we must first acknowledge that these newsrooms have a reckoning and that involves openly embracing the abuse and mismanagement of the black and brown folk who had even had to go to therapy for this bs.
