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Spent 15 yrs w/ @azcentral. I love journalism/truth/my communities. Worked for 4 exec editors & w/all @gannett equity/inclusion efforts to make a diff. Believe me: Under current top editor, I saw @DiinSilversmith, too many POC, women, LGBTQ journos devalued/discriminated against. https://twitter.com/DiinSilversmith/status/1387116196005244929
Question our credibility? Nah. 7yrs @azcentral diversity chair, yr @gannett Latinx ERG, yrs @USATODAY diversity adviser. Truth: discrimination/sexism/inequity/gaslighting @DiinSilversmith @EMontNews @lolonghi @ebonydayAZ endured is worst I've seen. cc: @mwadsworth @MizellStewart
Truth: Under @azcentral top editor, I saw an LGBTQ reporter discriminated against, their career/health harmed. Lies, discrimination, systemic racism must stop. At the end of the day, when we lose journalists who love sharing stories of communities we live in, the public suffers.
Truth: @DiinSilversmith is a caring, EXPERIENCED reporter. She was retaliated against when she urged equal coverage of marginalized communities. She worked tirelessly as her Navajo Nation fought COVID19. She merits equality, as do her communities. Enough is enough. @najournalists
Truth: @DiinSilversmith worked w/Native news & has a master's degree. When @azcentral top editor "promoted" her to statewide Indigenous Affairs beat, telling her she had to edit PT, too, he didn't pay her equitably. It's unethical. It's discrimination.
When top @azcentral editor moved @DiinSilversmith FT to Indigenous Affairs on narrative team, he'd another opportunity to stop discrimination/systemic racism/act ethically. He still didn't pay her equitably, treat her w/dignity. To say Shondiin's an entry-level reporter is a lie.
Truth: I watched top @azcentral editor question the value & worth of brave, beautiful, brilliant @EMontNews, @AZ_ABJ prez. I watched him & his enablers gaslight, devalue, tokenize her, discriminate against her. When Liz won @AZPressClub award, he still didn't pay her equitably.
Journalist of color @azcentral: "Always an excuse when I ask to be paid equally to those with my same experience level. Don't use my skin for your diversity. My skin made me work twice as hard to be here so I deserve to...at least get even."
https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/27/media/gannett-pay-equity-study/index.html @kerrymflynn
https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/27/media/gannett-pay-equity-study/index.html @kerrymflynn
Too many horror stories of journalists of color working for equal/fair coverage of communities of color & being intimidated/gaslighted/discriminated against. When top @azcentral editor & his enablers pushed out @ujohnnyg, I wept for Uriel & for our communities. Enough is enough.
Part of me will always be heartbroken, sickened by what I witnessed - the abuse of too many good humans, great journalists, the harm to their health/careers. Some of us went to @gannett HR. Others begged managers who'd been friends, colleagues for help. Guess who they protected?
If you knew half of what diversity leaders @EMontNews @lolonghi endured, working to make a difference for @azcentral newsroom & communities they love, you'd ask how @Gannett let this happen amid a pledge for equality/inclusion.
You'd demand accountability https://actionnetwork.org/letters/support-gannett-journalists-seeking-to-end-correct-pay-disparities
You'd demand accountability https://actionnetwork.org/letters/support-gannett-journalists-seeking-to-end-correct-pay-disparities
If you knew the truth/full stories of what too many caring, talented, brave journalists of color & LGBTQ & women journalists endured, you'd be sick & question how @gannett could allow one serial abusive boss turn our beloved @azcentral newsroom into a hostile workplace. Enough!
Amid retaliation, mind games, I was pushed out of the investigative reporting job I worked years to earn, sharing stories of communities I love and helping other journalists reach their dreams. I couldn't protect people/communities I care about. We tried. https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/improving-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-at-the-arizona-republic?source=direct_link&
Stand for truth w/ @DiinSilversmith @EMontNews @lolonghi @ujohnnyg @breeburkitt @priscillatotiya @kimirobin @RobbieSherwood @brieannafrank @AmandaMoMorris, more. Some ppl are too scared to speak. Others, too tired not to. We believe you/time for accountability @mwadsworth @Gannett
P.S. For the truth, justice, right, end to racism, accountability and equality Miss Ida B. Wells fought for and put her life on the line for, we can believe she's rolling over in her grave.
