Commitment to Diversity

It is not easy for a young Black African Muslim girl to see herself in society, especially not in a predominantly White city. Growing up, it is not easy for that girl to find herself in the books that she reads, the shows that she watches, or the people that stand at the front of her classroom. But that does not stop her from searching. Or from creating the representation herself.

Before I ever got into journalism, diversity was something I searched for–constantly–as a child. I searched for it anywhere people were involved. I wanted to see people who looked like me and people who could teach me new things about where they came from to build a better connection to myself and the world. 

On my own journey to find representation, I turned to Black history. I wrote about topics like Afrofuturism, Pan-Africanism, and Négritude. This was also at a time when much of the news coverage of Black people was centered around violence, coming from people who were unfamiliar with the Black community. While the inclusion of diverse voices has improved in recent years, it is still commonplace for “outsiders” to take on stories without regard to the communities they belong to.

There is so much to learn from differing and diverse perspectives. In journalism, it is our job, in reporting the truth, to provide platforms for those voices. The truth is never complete when people are excluded.

Too often, the stories of marginalized people are prescribed to certain times of the year —Black stories during Black History Month, Latinx stories during Hispanic Heritage Month, queer stories during Pride Month and so on. These voices belong beyond boxes. 

Working at Simpson Street, I've had the privilege to work with students—writers—from a multitude of backgrounds with their own stories to tell. I know writers who have written articles in Spanish. I know writers who have written about their home countries. I know writers who have written about historical events that directly impacted their families. I know writers who have written about the curiosities and complexities of their identities.

We make mirrors and windows out of ourselves to shape the world we want to see for the people who matter most. A commitment to diversity, to identity, is a commitment to my community. My work is a dedication to the people—my people.