Gary Younge on being pigeonholed as a black journalist

Gary Young, a notable columnist and now a sociology professor, reflects on his extensive career in journalism, addressing the issue of being pigeonholed, especially as a black journalist. He opens the conversation by discussing the media's lack of diversity and how it doesn't yet reflect the UK population accurately, noting that while there has been progress since he started at The Guardian, significant gaps remain. He highlights a study indicating that over 90% of British journalists are white.

Young shares personal anecdotes that illustrate the dual pressures he faced—the expectations from both above (editors and colleagues) and below (the wider community). He speaks about being told to focus solely on race-related topics, thus being pigeonholed in his writing. He argues that while there is a necessity for diverse voices in journalism, the responsibility that comes with underrepresentation often leads to overwhelming pressure.

Furthermore, he discusses the complexity of representing underrepresented communities while maintaining journalistic integrity. While he acknowledges the weight of expectations from his community, he emphasizes that he aims to cover stories responsibly and within context, rather than capitulating to narrow perspectives.

Young concludes with advice for navigating the burden of representation—encouraging individuals to embrace their authentic selves while understanding the structural dynamics at play in journalism. His message suggests that recognizing these pressures shouldn't shift the focus away from personal passion in journalism and the importance of varied storytelling.