Mixed views on capitalizing the ‘b’ in ‘Black’
Style Guide decision that became a youth talk about race
When I heard the yelling from the other side of the conference room, I wasn’t sure what happened. All I knew was this “youth mentoring event” was not going how I expected.
Earlier that day, I was told that a group of teenagers would be coming to visit our newsroom, and all the writers, editors and graphic designers were encouraged to attend. The 20-plus group of teenagers were Black, and this would more than likely be their first time seeing an all-Black staffed newsroom. If I were their age, I’d have been impressed. Somehow though, things went left with one particular girl.
I strolled in the room, ready to introduce myself and explain my role as a health beat reporter and web editor. But as soon as I walked through a set of entrance doors, I heard someone hiss, “What are you doing here?”
ADVERTISEMENT ~ Amazon
As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a percentage from purchases with my referral links. I know some consumers are choosing to boycott Amazon for its DEI removal. However, after thinking about this thoroughly, I want to continue promoting cool products from small businesses, women-owned businesses and (specifically) Black-owned businesses who still feature their items on Amazon. As of the first date of Black History Month 2025, each new post will ALWAYS include a MINIMUM of one product sold by a Black-owned business. (I have visited the seller’s official site to verify that Amazon Black-owned logo.) I am (slowly) doing this with older, popular posts too. If you still choose to boycott, I 100% respect that decision.
I looked down at one of the teenagers to see my own cousin. I smiled and pointed. He was not impressed. Initially, I was offended. This is a cousin who is happy to see me 99% of the time. What’d I do wrong just existing at work? It didn’t take me long to figure out what his issue was going to be.