First-person essays from workers affected by the pandemic wanted | $200 per piece

MLK50 MEMPHIS IS LOOKING FOR FIRST-PERSON ESSAYS FROM WORKERS AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC. 

It’s said that journalists write the first draft of history. As our  community faces the coronavirus pandemic and related financial  uncertainty, we are clearly in an unprecedented, historic and unique  moment.

What makes us unique? Our poverty rate. More  than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line. Memphis is the second  poorest large city in the nation and more than 40% of workers earn less  than $15 an hour. Many of the employees who face the greatest risk of exposure to the virus — such as home health aides and cashiers — also work in low-wage industries.

MLK50: Justice Through Journalism and High Ground News want to know how workers are coping with COVID-19, and we want to make it worth your time.

Over  the next few weeks, MLK50 will be running first-person essays from  selected Memphis workers. I’ll pay contributors $200 for each published  essay. (To be considered, fill out this form.)

Most  outlets don’t pay guest columnists. MLK50 and High Ground News do,  because we don’t want to limit the perspectives published to those who  can afford to spend time writing. All residents’ lived experiences and  expertise have value, as does the time you’ll spend writing your story  and working with our editors. (Like all reputable news organizations, we  do not and have never paid sources in news stories. It would be  unethical to do so.)

We’re a small team, which means we can’t track hour-by-hour updates (for that, turn to The Commercial Appeal)  but what we can do is what we’ve always done: Bear witness to the lived  experiences of Memphians, especially those who are held on the economic  margins.

That includes black people, all people of  color, immigrants, LGBT folks and especially workers. After all, that’s  who Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. came to Memphis to support more than 50  years ago — underpaid black sanitation workers.

HERE’S WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We’re prioritizing stories from workers who are facing financial uncertainty directly related to the pandemic.

Have  your hours been cut? Did your employer close the doors? Are you still  on the job, but worried about being exposed to the virus? Are you trying  to run a small business, nonprofit or house of faith when it’s  difficult to reach your customers, clients or members?

We know you have stories of frustration and confusion, but also of resilience, ingenuity and solidarity.

Do  you want to shout out a worker who has made this challenging time more  bearable? Impressed with the solutions folks have come up with to make  ends meet? Admire how community members have united to support each  other? Tell us about it.

You don’t need to be a writer.  If you’re selected, our veteran editors will work with you. They will  ask you to provide verification for details you include. Accuracy, even  in first-person essays, is important. If you’re not comfortable with  sharing that information, this isn’t the opportunity for you.

Those chosen to share their stories will get more specifics in an email, including about payment. To participate, fill out this form.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Submissions: Via the webform

Website: https://mlk50.com/