Processing Don Lemon and Georgia Fort's arrests as an independent Black journalist

The promise of The Constitution was never meant to be for us.

I had different intentions for the inaugural edition of Tap In before this weekend.

Friday, we learned that Don Lemon and Georgia Fort — two independent Black journalists — had been arrested in Minneapolis for covering a protest at Cities Church where the pastor is also an ICE agent.

Black journalists were arrested for doing their job. Fort posted a chilling video in which agents — not police officers — showed up to her home at 6:30am on Friday and detained her.

Though both were released shortly after, let’s be very clear about what this was: an abduction.

Independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were arrested for covering an anti-ICE demonstration at a St. Paul church. (Credit: The Don Lemon Show/Getty)

Since before Freedom’s Journal, the nation’s first Black newspaper, was founded in 1827, Black journalists have been telling the stories that America and mass media want to leave buried. By virtue of being shut out of the “mainstream,” we’ve take on the duty of telling our stories independently and vigorously. But as we’ve seen, when we uncover this country’s ugly truths, freedom of the press goes out of the window.

Upon her release, Fort asked, “Do we have a constitution? I should be protected under the First Amendment just like all of the journalists who I have been advocating for.”

When The Constitution was written, Black people were only recognized as three-fifths of a person. When it is upheld, it often feels as though we’re still regarded in that way.

Journalism as the fourth estate is under a vicious attack. That attack has accelerated this year but it started long before this administration took office. Once driven on an ad-based model, the industry has been reckoning with its reliance on capitalism since the dawn of the digital age. That means shrinking newsrooms and business decisions being prioritized over reporting.

We continually kick down doors of an industry that tries to keep us out and get the brunt of these woes first and hardest. Black journalists are being laid off en masse, over-indexing as freelancers and getting pushed out of an industry that desperately needs our voices. But we are not protected.

America is showing us in real time who The Constitution is and isn’t for… yet again.

However, this time surprised me a bit more than I’m used to. Journalists getting arrested isn’t new, however Lemon and Fort’s arrests were a blatant and public attempt at silencing journalists and instilling fear on a scale that feels like we’re charting into territory this generation hasn’t experienced before.

We’re in a state of emergency. This isn’t the time to carry on as business as usual. Apathy and ignorance at a time like this will only lead to more atrocities. What that means will look different for everyone. I loved Sidney Madden’s piece this week where she offered some great perspective on how we can take control at a time like this: “Focusing on your power means doing what’s within your control to change the course of the histories happening around you.”

I yap plenty on Let’s Stay Connected. I want this regular series to be a place where you can take away more than my two cents. I’ll be highlighting the independent journalists, artists and creators that are currently informing, entertaining and inspiring me — and throwing in a few things that I just generally enjoy. Hopefully, you can use this newsletter as a resource that can help you find what you need at the moment.

No corporation, outlet or government is going to save us. So we must take very seriously the duty that it is for us to save ourselves.

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Staying grounded:

• Starting my day with meditation has curbed some serious morning attitudes I’ve felt brewing this week. Forcing myself to be present first thing in the morning — especially on days when I’m not looking forward to all the work that I need to do — instead of checking my phone has been a task but I’m determined to put the doomscrolling to rest damnit!

• At a time like this, I’ve been returning to Toni Morrison’s work. I’m finishing Sula tonight and am picking up The Source of Self-Regard next.

Staying informed:

• I never miss a week of Phil Lewis’ roundup of Black news each week and neither should you.

• I love a good product recommendation, especially for skin care. But as a sensitive skin girly, I’m very picky about who’s making the recommendation. Which is why I’m all the more excited about Julia Craven’s newly launched Well-Spent vertical over on Healthy Futures. Julia is an undeniable journalist who does important and thoughtful work around health and wellness. Follow her!

• Brittany Noble’s daily news show, “The Breakdown” premiered on Black Star Network this week.

Staying light:

• Van Lathan comparing “Marty Supreme” to Tyler Perry’s “Straw” made me chuckle.

• I loved this conversation between Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan on the filmmaker’s company’s podcast, “In Proximity.”

• Winter naps with my cat remind me of the big impact of small, mundane moments.

Good ass reads:

• GloRilla’s Nose Job Might Be The Realest Thing About Her by Sesali

• Black Men Are Talking. What’s the Problem? by Donovan X. Ramsey

Things I’m looking forward to:

• Finally being in Black History Month! I’m hopefully these next 28 days will feel better than the last 31.

• If I Ruled The World by Amy DuBois Barnett is my February read.

• Kayla Greaves is hosting a night of journaling in Bed-Stuy this Valentine’s season at Early Yves Café! I hope to see you there.

• Witnessing Colton Underwood’s demise on “The Traitors.”

• New York thawing out.

Last words:

It’s Black History Month! As we lean into the joy and celebration in digital spaces, let’s also honor our culture and history offline. I’m reporting every AI video I see of Harriet Tubman driving a hellcat with Coretta Scott King, Michelle Obama and Maya Angelou in tow.