By Demetrius Dillard, Northend Agent’s
This piece is dedicated to the countless Black journalists who suffer in silence. And especially to the predecessors who have passed on – whose contributions often go unnoticed, and unwavering courage is worthy of considerable honor…
Most professionals who pursue the journalistic path as a career often do so because they are passionate. High-earning salaries, glamorous work environments and stress-free careers typically aren’t driving factors.
Almost all journalists, especially those in the print media industry, confront inevitable challenges at some point in their careers. The daily toll of meeting deadlines; reaching or exceeding performance metrics for digital products; executing at a high level in accordance with advertising demands to sustain a functional budget; remaining professional with individuals who incessantly exude distasteful behavior and insults; and having the subconscious apprehension of abrupt job changes due to the evolving landscape of the industry.
What many have found is that while journalism may offer a rewarding career, there are struggles — often overlooked and disregarded — inextricably intertwined within the “journalistic journey” (so to speak). Among the most prominent struggles that arise in this profession are the woes associated with mental health challenges.
For the Black journalist, mental health obstacles, more often than not, are an unfortunate reality they must endure. Being Black in America already has its challenges; tack on the vicissitudes of being a journalist, and that adds another set of unique issues that, if not addressed, can become unbearable.
The University of Georgia’s Grady Newsource published a report citing reflections from Ernie Suggs, a race and culture reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“After covering Ferguson, Baltimore, Charlotte, after covering the Charleston massacre when the people were killed at the church — I was there for that,” Suggs said, according to Grady Newsource.
“After a while, you do get a sense that there is some kind of strain that’s going on within yourself.”
The Black journalistic experience is unlike any other. Possessing the wit and astuteness of academic scholars while being as relatable as the everyday layperson, Black journalists have a unique identity in society. They always have, and always will.
Between 2020 and 2021, Boston University’s College of Communication held a forum titled “Reporting While Black: Self Care and Wellness for Journalists.”
“For Black journalists who report on race and policing, the mental toll this work can take is extraordinary and often unrelenting,” says an event preview. “Lack of diversity in newsrooms exacerbates this strain on reporters.”
Since the inception of America’s first Black newspaper, the Freedom’s Journal nearly 200 years ago, many Black journalists have put themselves in harm’s way for the sake of their community, showing unrelenting courage in the face of imminent danger.
Undoubtedly, those who reported throughout the Civil War, world wars, Jim Crow and Reconstruction eras and the Civil Rights Movement, had to shoulder the challenge of remaining sane and mentally intact all whilst the ills of White supremacy painted a dark picture in American history. Seeing the racial injustices and unrest that unfolded during Black Lives Matter protests would be the modern equivalent.
The aforesaid atrocities had to have taken a significant toll on their mental health, but because they had to be “strong,” many of them dealt with struggles silently.
Imagine getting very little rest, working for little pay and in unsavory work environments, while having to report on the constant mistreatment of Black Americans – all for the greater good of the Black community and broader society in general. This is why icons like Ida B. Wells left a legacy that will forever be etched in the collective heart, spirit and identity of Black media.
According to Grady Newsource, a Pew Research Center survey of data from 2013-2017 found that only 7% of newsroom employees are Black.
Martin G. Reynolds, co-executive director of the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, was quoted saying “predominantly white newsrooms can act as hostile work environments for Black journalists.”
“These work environments can act as another barrier for Black journalists to discuss their emotional wellbeing,” the Grady Newsource article says.
“Racial disparities exist in regards to mental health care services. According to the American Psychiatric Association, only 1 in 3 African Americans who need mental health care receive it. Stigmas surrounding mental health in the Black community also serve as barriers to seeking mental health care. One study reported 63% of African Americans believed depression is a personal weakness.”
There are numerous systemic barriers that contribute to declining mental health for Black journalists, and those matters and conversations have recently entered research circles.
To any Black media practitioner who may feel harrowing pressures of what comes with being a consummate journalist – whether it be achieving daily performance metrics while under strict scrutiny from the public or having to explain yourself to culturally incompetent management – you’re not alone.
There are resources and support systems available. Black journalists of today are fortunate to have access to more help than those of the past.
Namely, the National Association of Black Journalists, Coalition Against Online Violence and International Women’s Media Foundation provide support groups, funding avenues, therapy relief and many more resources centered around the emotional, mental and physical well-being of journalists.
Do not let your present obstacles consume you. Never lose optimism; there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.
