More than 150 New York Times employees sent a letter on Wednesday to their executive leadership criticizing the newspaper’s response to parents’ complaints that journalist Donald McNeil Jr had used racist language during a company-sponsored student trip and to deal with the scandal since these complaints were first reported.
“Our community is outraged and suffering,” wrote the officials, adding that, despite the “apparent commitment of the newspaper to diversity and inclusion, [they’ve] given a prominent platform – a critical hit covering a pandemic that disproportionately affects people of color – for someone who has chosen to use language that is offensive and unacceptable by any newsroom standards. ”
The letter asked the Times to investigate “any new complaints that have arisen”, noting that in the days since the allegations were first reported, current and former colleagues have talked about “prejudice against people of color in their work and in interactions with colleagues about a period of years ”.
“We, his colleagues, feel disrespected for his actions,” wrote the officials, adding that they were “deeply disturbed” by the way the newspaper handled the allegations. “The company has a responsibility to take this experience seriously.”
Last week, the New York Times confirmed that it investigated and “disciplined” his high-profile public health and Covid-19 reporter after he used racial slurs during a trip with high school students in 2019, including using the word N during a newspaper in the Times – Educational trip endorsed to Peru.
The reporter also suggested that he did not believe in the privilege of whites and used stereotypes about black teenagers, according to complaints made to the newspaper, which were first reported by the Daily Beast.
Executive editor Dean Baquet, however, insisted that the investigation concluded that although the reporter allegedly used “offensive” language and “showed extremely poor judgment”, McNeil’s “intentions were[n’t] hateful or malicious ”.
The signatories were not satisfied, classifying this conclusion as “irrelevant”.
They demanded that the leadership conduct a more thorough investigation of complaints against the 45-year-old veteran, as well as the Times’ initial treatment.
They also appealed to McNeil to apologize to students and their parents, tour staff, as well as colleagues.
“[Company guidelines] make it clear that what matters is how an act makes victims feel; [McNeil’s] the victims were not shy about criticizing their conduct on the trip, ”the letter said.
In response to the letter, Baquet – along with the chief executive, Meredith Kopit Levien, and the publisher, AG Sulzberger – said Wednesday night that he “appreciates the spirit with which [the letter] was offered and I largely agree with the message ”, swearing that the newsroom“ will see the results ”.