• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

White newspapers apologize for shameful past coverage of Blacks

by Lauren Victoria Burke
March 8, 2022
21
SHARES
411
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn
iStock

In a stark reminder of the importance of the Black Press established in the U.S. in 1827 by Sam Cornish and John Russwurm, American newspapers are beginning to analyze their coverage of African Americans.

In at least two instances, that historical analysis by the newspapers themselves has been followed by an apology. The papers in the predominantly Black cities of Baltimore, Philadelphia and Kansas City studied and confronted decades of negative news coverage on Black communities.

The efforts also highlight the lack of diversity that continues to persist even in newsrooms in cities with large Black populations.

The Kansas City Star, established in 1880, issued an apology to their readership for what they admitted was consistently negative coverage of the local Black community. The Star’s apology, published in Dec. 2020, was entitled “The Truth in Black and White: An Apology From the KC Star.” 

It stated, “Our reporters searched court documents, archival collections, congressional testimony, minutes of meetings and digital databases… Reporters were frequently sickened by what they found—decades of coverage that depicted Black Kansas Citians as criminals living in a crime-laden world. They felt shame at what was missing: the achievements, aspirations and milestones of an entire population routinely overlooked, as if Black people were invisible.”

- ADVERTISEMENT -

The Star went on to verify that Black news in the community was consistently underplayed and ignored. Their apology, which arrived months after the May 25, 2020 murder of George Floyd, was part of the effort around the country resulting from Floyd’s death that galvanized discussions on race in America.

On February 18 of this year, the Baltimore Sun did the same as the Kansas City Star. “The Baltimore Sun frequently employed prejudice as a tool of the times. It fed the fear and anxiety of white readers with stereotypes and caricatures that reinforced their erroneous beliefs about Black Americans. 

“Through its news coverage and editorial opinions, The Sun sharpened, preserved and furthered the structural racism that still subjugates Black Marylanders in our communities today,” the Sun editorial board bluntly stated.

“African Americans systematically have been denied equal opportunity and access in every sector of life—including health care, employment, education, housing, personal wealth, the justice system and civic participation. They have been refused the freedom to simply be, without the weight of oppression on their backs,” the Baltimore Sun editorial Board continued, adding that they were “ashamed” of past coverage of the Black community.

The Philadelphia Inquirer published an article by Wesley Lowery analyzing the Philadelphia Inquirer’s history on race and the newsroom’s lack of diversity. “Mentions of Black Philadelphia appeared in the white papers primarily through the lens of crime,” Lowery, a former reporter for The Washington Post who is now with CBS, wrote.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

“To read The Inquirer then would leave one wondering if Black people ever were born, ever died, if they lived lives in between—or if they simply sprouted, fully grown, in the city streets to call for civil rights, seek elected office, and commit various criminal infractions. 

“The paper, of course, is not alone in its history. Its story is that of the modern American newspaper: The last half-century began with begrudging efforts at racial integration of both staff and coverage sparked by public pressure and protests; the decades to follow saw expanded efforts to recruit minority journalists before the industry cratered and many of those non-white journalists were the first to be shown the door,” Lowery continued.

The recent analysis by large papers in predominantly Black cities is likely to continue. The articles highlight the importance of historic curation, community image, and news narrative and the impact it has on historically marginalized communities.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Minneapolis teachers go on strike for increased pay, smaller class sizes

Next Post

Atopic eczema is like an ‘asthma of the skin’

Lauren Victoria Burke

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist and writer for NNPA as well as a political analyst and strategist as Principal of Win Digital Media LLC. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on Twitter at @LVBurke.  

You Might Also Like

reparations x broken chains
Opinion

Call for Reparations

Racist attacks against Vikings’ Mattison echo Hank Aaron’s treatment
Sports

Racist attacks against Vikings’ Mattison echo Hank Aaron’s treatment

Kamala Harris stands strong against racist attacks, affirms readiness to lead
National

Kamala Harris stands strong against racist attacks, affirms readiness to lead

Oregon man released from prison after 25 years as his case highlights racial bias in legal system
National

Oregon man released from prison after 25 years as his case highlights racial bias in legal system

Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio sentenced to 22 years in prison for role in Jan. 6 Capitol attack
National

Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio sentenced to 22 years in prison for role in Jan. 6 Capitol attack

Racist gunman targets historically Black community, killing three in Jacksonville
National

Racist gunman targets historically Black community, killing three in Jacksonville

Next Post
Atopic eczema is like an ‘asthma of the skin’

Atopic eczema is like an 'asthma of the skin'

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Sep 12
September 12 @ 6:30 pm-December 18 @ 9:30 pm Recurring

Vic Volare Presents MUSIC FOR MARTINIS ft: Vic’s Fabulous Nightclub Academy

Oct 3
October 3 @ 8:30 am-October 4 @ 5:30 pm

Insects: Little Body, Big Impact | Nobel Conference 59 | Virtual or In-Person

Oct 4
6:00 pm-8:00 pm

An Evening with Liz Cheney

Oct 5
7:00 pm-9:00 pm

The Bombing of Cubana Flight 455: Why it Matters

View Calendar
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Read our latest e-Edition!

PHOTO: Barbie back-to-school party

A Barbie back to school party.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: