Feb 14Newsroom edit tests reflect on your organization. So stop making them so exploitativeOn behalf of journalism applicants everywhere, I’m here to say that editing tests need a makeover. If newsrooms are truly working toward a more inclusive and fair workplace, then that must also apply to how job candidates are treated. I am offering these ideas to make editing tests a more…Journalism4 min read
Dec 1, 2021Why journalists should try tracking their hoursI didn’t have a sense of how much time it takes to send 15 emails. I do now. As a salaried employee, my time at work was a blur. I had immediate, medium and long-term publishing deadlines. I had meetings to go to, lunch to eat (at my desk, of…Journalism4 min read
Sep 9, 2021Decolonizing journalism: Internship applicationsIt’s up to each of us to not do what The Washington Post did. — In this installment of “decolonizing journalism,” let’s talk internships. Specifically, the debacle that was The Washington Post internship application announcement. What went wrong It started with this now-deleted tweet, saying that students must have had “previous experience in a major newsroom.”Journalism5 min read
Jul 26, 2021Dear journalists: You are more than your job titleThe other day, I heard from another journalist who was laid off. She wrote to me after finding my essay on Poynter’s website about when it happened to me. She told me she had worked as a journalist for almost 25 years — and though she lost her job weeks…Identity3 min read
Published in #StopAsianHate·Updated Jan 5What’s in a Name?You likely made assumptions about me based on my name — here’s what you don’t know — What’s in a name? I’ve been thinking about that question lately after I found this mug at my parents’ house. I bought it as a teen because I loved the definition even though it’s not how I spell my name. I’ve been thinking about how I have two names: Kathy…Diversity3 min read
Mar 11, 2021My dad did his best to build a life for his children. He died at 90, a devoted Lakers fan and a proud ChineseLi Lu was raised in China and got his college education in the U.S., where he raised his family. My dad died Friday, March 5, 2021. As we are a small family with no extended relatives in the U.S., we decided on no obit, no services. …Obituary4 min read
Jan 8, 2021Dear new editor: Here are 3 things to help you in your journeyCongratulations! You’ve gotten your first editor job! Do you feel prepared? Chances are the answer is no. I know, because I’ve been there. Newsrooms are historically ill equipped at preparing new editors for their new responsibilities, which include but are not limited to: Editing Coaching Planning Leading meetings Hiring Managing…Leadership4 min read
Aug 12, 2020I’m a minority journalism program alum and leader. News flash: Programs aren’t enoughMainstream media newsrooms must realize that institutional change can’t rely on a passionate few, often people of color. It’s been more than 50 years according to my little archive. — Going through boxes of keepsakes recently, I found a copy of Changing Times, a newspaper that I helped produce as part of the 1992 University of Massachusetts at Boston summer Urban Journalism Workshop. The centerfold features 15 of us, high school minority students from across Massachusetts.Journalism6 min read
Jan 16, 2020My dad wanted me to write to Shaq. Here’s what happened after I did it on TwitterI’ll be forever amazed by the power of Twitterati — A funny thing happened in December: A tweet thread I wrote went a little viral. And it led basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal to send me a personal video message. Though I had no expectation of this result, I did try to maximize the possibility for a response. I just didn’t expect Twitter to do so much for me, too. So, in the interest of helping…NBA5 min read
Dec 20, 2019I was laid off. Here’s how sharing the news on social media helped meI’ve been telling folks that getting laid off from your profession of 21 years is like the worst “It’s not you, it’s me” breakup. Ever. Because that’s what it is. It’s hard not to take it personally, but ultimately, it’s a decision you had no control over. …Social Media4 min read
