In the 1990's, the Los Angeles Times, specifically a writer named Michael Haederle wrote what has since become a case study of Native Americans and the news media. He called it "When Worlds Collide: Navajos and the News Media." It began when journalists descended upon a Navajo reservation in New Mexico to cover what was called at the time "a mysterious respiratory illness." From the start, the reporters proceeded to interview tribal members about their lost loved one, without a clear understanding of Navajo cultural beliefs about death (including the custom that Navajos refrain from talking about a dead person for four days; to do otherwise is considered getting in the way of the deceased's transition to the afterlife). It led one tribal leader to remark that instances like this one suggest a clash of cultures between reporters and Native Americans. Navajos responded with large signs reading : NO NEWS MEDIA ALLOWED. One could argue that the journalists were just doing their jobs, but, on the other hand, what can this case study suggest about the very different cultural values that exist between the reservation and the newsroom, if not the larger mainstream American culture in general. As a foundation for your discussion, you may want to begin by first looking at the website of the Native American Journalists Association (www.naja.com).

This is a case proving that good writers should know about what they are writing.  The foundation of good journalism is to have a clear understanding of the subject. How could a reporter write about an issue that they themselves do not have a grasp?

The study of anthropology faced a similar dilemma at the turn of the last century.  Researchers looked at “other” cultures from a Western ethnocentric viewpoint, making it difficult to have a true understanding of different peoples.  It was when anthropologists took the time to live with the divergent cultures, they began to better understand and explain how humans could face hardships in areas far removed from their own.  It was through this underlying respect for “other” cultures they began to appreciate the common humanity of all people.

Some of my favorite interview questions are the simplest.  Ask “why?” in a way that invites to “help me understand the context of the situation, not just offer a sound bite or quote.”

Journalists can learn from the lessons and techniques of the anthropologist, especially when reporting on other cultures such as the Native American.  I am not suggesting journalists must immerse themselves in the different cultures on which they report, but any degree of understanding can only help to tell a better story.  When a writer comes off their ethnocentric pedestal, taking a sometimes-difficult route to relate to other groups, the effort will pay off.  It makes them better prepared to offer thoughtful stories to a wider audience. 

This is the goal of diversity.  It is not only in bringing other cultures to the table, but in understanding that people have their individual stories to tell; stories that can be told in their own manner.  It is the job of the enlightened journalist to act as a bridge between divergent peoples and to identify the universal themes in humanity.