It's 2023. Is Ashley Nicole Moss a journalist? An entertainer? Both? Neither? Is she the future of the profession? And where, exactly, are we all heading?
I'm going to say this with all of my acknowledged privilege as a straight, white, middle class dude... I just want to preface that I know absolutely I've never had to deal with some of the shit that female journalists, writers, and (hands waving all over) everywhere have to deal with on a daily basis.
With all that being said, I used to call myself a journalist. I've done journalism. I've done investigative stories. I've done tons and tons and tons of interviews. I've done pretty much all of that at some point over the past two decades. I still feel like I'm "doing journalism" a lot of the time, but I just stopped calling myself a "journalist" on my social profiles and IRL a few years ago. I then switched over to just calling myself a "writer."
Since I was writing essays and poems and a bunch of non-journalism stuff, I just felt like "writer" fit better at that point. I'm also unabashed about writing about stuff I dig. I LIKE to lift up and spread the word about stuff I dig. I just have zero interest anymore about writing takedowns or "Worst Of" lists, or wasting my time writing about things if I hate them. I'd rather spend my time talking to and interviewing people I dig and word I want more people to know about. The only exception is when I'm trying to bring attention to a cause or issue that NEEDS to be criticized so more folks know about it and can help make a change.
So, am I still a journalist? I don't know... I guess? I guess not? At the end of the day, I'm fine with saying who cares and just being a writer. Do I think Ashley is a journalist? Sure. She knows her shit and can speak on it with authority. That, to me, is almost always enough. If she wants to use "journalist" in her social bios, I definitely wouldn't begrudge her. I had too many people 20 years ago telling me I couldn't call myself a writer because I hadn't yet been published. From that point on, I vowed to not tell people what they can or can't call themselves.
Super interesting topic. I suppose I'm also unabashed (for better or worse) about loving the Chicago Bears, so... there's my bias. On second thought, maybe I shouldn't admit that. 😝
Great comment and interesting insight. When I started in journalism in the 90s, I was nervous to call myself a journalist because I didn’t graduate with a degree in journalism. Decades later, I realize that how we label ourselves is less important than what we have to say.
Matt Taibbi was unfairly attacked by that msnbc dude. A couple minor errors were conflated into a broad, generalized dismissal of his other work.
MSNBC has gotten a LOT of things wrong themselves in recent years but they won’t issue any corrections. Yet, this guy demands accountability from Taibbi.
Girl uses her looks but wants to be taken seriously, yawn. Uninspired, hypocritical writing.
Excellent piece, Jeff. Really thought-provoking and I appreciate you including me in the discussion.
I'm going to say this with all of my acknowledged privilege as a straight, white, middle class dude... I just want to preface that I know absolutely I've never had to deal with some of the shit that female journalists, writers, and (hands waving all over) everywhere have to deal with on a daily basis.
With all that being said, I used to call myself a journalist. I've done journalism. I've done investigative stories. I've done tons and tons and tons of interviews. I've done pretty much all of that at some point over the past two decades. I still feel like I'm "doing journalism" a lot of the time, but I just stopped calling myself a "journalist" on my social profiles and IRL a few years ago. I then switched over to just calling myself a "writer."
Since I was writing essays and poems and a bunch of non-journalism stuff, I just felt like "writer" fit better at that point. I'm also unabashed about writing about stuff I dig. I LIKE to lift up and spread the word about stuff I dig. I just have zero interest anymore about writing takedowns or "Worst Of" lists, or wasting my time writing about things if I hate them. I'd rather spend my time talking to and interviewing people I dig and word I want more people to know about. The only exception is when I'm trying to bring attention to a cause or issue that NEEDS to be criticized so more folks know about it and can help make a change.
So, am I still a journalist? I don't know... I guess? I guess not? At the end of the day, I'm fine with saying who cares and just being a writer. Do I think Ashley is a journalist? Sure. She knows her shit and can speak on it with authority. That, to me, is almost always enough. If she wants to use "journalist" in her social bios, I definitely wouldn't begrudge her. I had too many people 20 years ago telling me I couldn't call myself a writer because I hadn't yet been published. From that point on, I vowed to not tell people what they can or can't call themselves.
Super interesting topic. I suppose I'm also unabashed (for better or worse) about loving the Chicago Bears, so... there's my bias. On second thought, maybe I shouldn't admit that. 😝
Great comment and interesting insight. When I started in journalism in the 90s, I was nervous to call myself a journalist because I didn’t graduate with a degree in journalism. Decades later, I realize that how we label ourselves is less important than what we have to say.
YES to this! “Decades later, I realize that how we label ourselves is less important than what we have to say.”
Great column.
Matt Taibbi was unfairly attacked by that msnbc dude. A couple minor errors were conflated into a broad, generalized dismissal of his other work.
MSNBC has gotten a LOT of things wrong themselves in recent years but they won’t issue any corrections. Yet, this guy demands accountability from Taibbi.
Well, one thing is certain: YOU are not a journalist - you're a churnalist, and even at that you suck.
Out of curiosity what are your thoughts on someone like Riley Gaines? Ty.