Stand with Black journalists at the Los Angeles Times.

Friend,

Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the United States. It’s just a few hours from the birthplace of the Black Panther Party, and the genesis of so much Black radical thought — thought that is foundational to the present uprising for Black lives.

So why are there only 26 Black journalists at the Los Angeles Times out of a staff of 500?

Now is the time to undo white supremacy in the media. Stand with Black journalists at the Los Angeles Times who are bravely calling for much-needed change.

This week, Black journalists from the Los Angeles Times wrote an open letter to publisher Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong¹ outlining a list of demands for a “truly diverse and inclusive newsroom.”

Black journalists deserve to be heard. And the Black community of greater Los Angeles does, too.

Before George Floyd, there was Rodney King. And Latasha Harlins. The Watts uprisings and so many stories — all defined by a silencing of Black communities’ needs, perspectives and dignity. Police violence and anti-Blackness in Los Angeles have reached a breaking point many times throughout history, and it’s unconscionable that in 2020, the Los Angeles Times newsroom is so woefully unprepared to help shape a more just future.

Building that future starts with recognizing and repairing the abuses taking place within the halls of the Los Angeles Times and many other news and media organizations. Tell leadership at the Los Angeles Times to publicly stand with — and meet the demands of — Black journalists.

Thanks for all that you do—

Tauhid, Collette and the rest of the Free Press team
freepress.net

P.S. For far too long media organizations like the Los Angeles Times have reinforced white supremacy and failed to meet the needs of Black communities and journalists calling for change. Urge the Los Angeles Times to meet the demands of Black journalists.

1. “Letter to Patrick Soon-Shiong from the L.A. Times Guild’s Black Caucus,” June 23, 2020