Commitment to Diversity
It is important to show a commitment to diversity in reporting, especially at Midtown where we feature a diverse student body. This adds depth to stories by including many perspectives.
Stories
As a news editor, I write stories on all kinds of important updates around my community. However, several of my stories have a specific focus on diverse communities - specifically, socioeconomic diversity and racial diversity.
"Georgia Colleges waive application fees, remove barriers"
This story covered a partnership between the Georgia Student Finance Commission and 49 Georgia colleges to waive application fees during March, removing a significant barrier for many students. In my reporting, I focused on how this initiative impacted students who were previously unable to afford application fees. For instance, I interviewed a student who shared he could only apply to college because of the waived fees. By amplifying his voice, the story shed light on a challenge that resonates with many in my school community. Midtown is a socioeconomically diverse school, but these challenges often go underreported. Covering this story not only brought attention to a vital issue but also highlighted the importance of initiatives that create equitable access to higher education.
"Spelman College receives historic donation"
This story was on a $100 million donation to Spelman College, the largest single donation ever made to a historically Black college or university. The funding addressed critical needs, including $25 million for flexible improvements that enhanced student living conditions, and $75 million dedicated to scholarships, opening doors for future students who might otherwise be unable to afford college. By bringing attention to the significance of this donation, the story underscored the importance of supporting institutions like HBCUs, which play a critical role in advancing educational opportunities for underrepresented communities. Reporting on this resonated with Midtown, which is both socioeconomically and racially diverse, with an almost 50% Black student body. Sharing this story allowed me to spotlight an issue that aligns with the experiences of many students in my school, demonstrating my dedication to fostering awareness around diversity and equity.
Sierra Pape
Source Sheets
The Southerner represents all of Midtown, an in-town Atlanta, diverse school. We are aware of this, and we strive to showcase a diverse range of sources throughout our stories. We utilize a source form and sheet each staff member fills out after every story. This information regarding the name and basic background of each source is linked to a Google sheet. This ensures we do not overuse any sources and utilize a wide, diverse range of sources.
This is our master sheet that tracks every source anyone on the staff has interviewed this year. Before we interview anyone, we look at the sheet to make sure they have not been interviewed more than once. This practice ensures we use a diversity of sources to maintain a diversity of perspectives.
Once a source is used three times, they are shown here and are no longer able to be interviewed.
This is the Google Form every staff member is required to fill out after they complete a story. This information is linked to the Google Sheet.
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It does not just serve to ensure we do not overuse the same sources; it also holds us accountable for using diverse sources. While we are filling out this form, it is easy to notice trends in the race or gender we gravitate towards in our story. If we continuously use the same demographics, it shows that we are not showcasing the diversity at our school and we need to incorporate more perspectives. The combination of this form and our Google Sheet helps us stay committed to understanding and reporting on a wide range of people at our school and in our community.
NSPA Convention
I had the opportunity to attend the 2024 National Scholastic Press Association convention in Philadelphia along with several other Southerner staff members. It was a four-day convention with dozens of conventions on a wide range of topics. I attended several conventions focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
A Good Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks
This presentation highlighted the importance of photography in journalism. Through photography, we can capture moments that reveal humanity.
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Gordon Parks, for instance, used his lens to document struggles in American society, from the Dust Bowl to the realities of racism and sexism. His work serves as a reminder of photography's ability to shine a light on injustice and inspire change.
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This presentation showed me an area of growth in my own journalistic abilities by explaining the importance of photojournalism.
The Caitlin Clark Effect
This presentation focused on the growing coverage of women’s sports in journalism, highlighting how athletes like Caitlin Clark have played a pivotal role in bringing greater visibility to women’s athletics. Clark has helped pave the way for other female athletes to gain platforms and media coverage.
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At The Southerner, we prioritize equitable coverage of female athletes and women’s sports, ensuring their achievements are celebrated. By spotlighting these stories, we promote gender equity in sports journalism and inspire future generations of athletes.
Fred Ross: American Agitator
This session included clips from the documentary American Agitator.
The film highlights the life and work of activist Fred Ross.
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The presentation looked into Ross's strategies for organizing and how they can be applied to modern challenges like social justice, equity, and community activism. The discussions were both inspiring and thought-provoking, especially as they connected his principles to the role of journalists in covering these critical movements. It was a real-world example of how one person's efforts can drive systemic change and how those lessons can continue to inspire action in today's world.