We have a tendency to think that things that happened in the past don't apply to us. We rationalize with "things were different then" and "now, that would never work." But there are certain ideas and techniques that can transcend eras, and that is the case with the journalism of Ida B. Wells.
Wells did what every independent journalist today attempts to do: shape the discussion in the mainstream media. She worked incessantly, researching and attending lynchings to make her reporting as accurate as possible. Wells did her own investigating to get the story no one else wanted to touch.
Her persistence angered a lot of people. It ran her away from her home and threatened her life. She had to carry a gun with her for protection. But Wells kept going, fully embodying a principle that isn't only indicative of independent media, but of journalism as a whole.
She built the watchdog role of the media in a time when that was very difficult, because you had to go to the direct source to get a story. It isn't like now, when independent media outlets can investigate from the comfort of their own home via the internet and telephones.
Wells was a true trailblazer in the profession, not only being black, but also being a woman. This was a time when she was rejected from mainstream media because of what she looked like and her gender, but that didn't stop her. She worked hard and earned their respect (for the most part). Truly an inspiration to those of us looking to make a difference in media.
No comments:
Post a Comment