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Journalism is about holding truth to power. Yet journalism organizations as they are set up in the U.S. are part of our political and social power structures. And they are blind to the game they play, and their role in that game.

When Trump was elected, ProPublica Deputy Managing Editor Eric Umansky tweeted:

“We journalists need to get comfortable real quick with the idea of being seen as fighting for something. And that something is democratic values.”

Many journalists, considering themselves above reproach, hiding behind the idea of “objectivity,” (or really, not wanting anyone to call them names) scoffed at Umansky. They continued to report “both sides” journalism, with more than a hint of laziness sprinkled in.

The central theme to this newsletter is that we cannot put ourselves in the middle of peoples’ humanity and the people who want to take that humanity away.

We cannot normalize fascism.

We cannot report without context.

If we do any of those things, we are contributing to the demise of democracy.

My job is to hold journalism to truth to power. It’s to illuminate what it looks like in our everyday lives, with powerful writing and humor. I will do serious stories on everyday power dynamics. I will also look at pop culture, and share personal anecdotes. I invite you to share your experiences with me. Or just share the writing you find here with others.

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I’ll be putting out a new written piece every week, occasional mid-week interregnums, and podcasts. Every new edition of You’re Over Thinking It goes directly to your inbox.

Social Media

It’s hard these days, as Twitter is imploding. But you can always find me on @CarrieKaufman.

Notes:

Threads: @ckaufman04

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You're Overthinking It is a social and political commentary on the world we live in, what we accept as ‘true' and the media’s role in telling us who we are.

People

Carrie Kaufman is print journalist, former public radio host, and podcaster, who is disgusted by the “both-sides” world of journalism. Journalists should not center themselves between one’s humanity and another’s desire to take that humanity away.