Hi, it's Lela!
Recently, I had the opportunity to meet journalism students to introduce them to La Converse and the work we do as a media.
I explained to them the profound reasons that prompted me to create La Converse: the glaring lack of diversity in the mainstream media, media coverage that was too fast, often biased and left little room for introspection, and a symbolic inclusion that confined people from diversity into marginal roles. These dynamics contribute to the establishment of an often traumatic relationship between marginalized communities and the media.
Based on my observations in the field, on my experience of Roma woman as well as on concrete examples such as the recommendations of Bouchard-Taylor report, I wanted to highlight these systemic issues, which can no longer be ignored.
At one point during the discussion with journalism students, the professor asked me a question. “You are tough on traditional media in saying that the relationships of marginalized communities with the media are traumatic. I think you gave up traditional media easily. Aren't you afraid to create a “ghetto media” in which you would only talk to people of colour? ”
This question brought me back to the profound reason why I decided to create La Converse, four years ago now. It highlights the importance, now more than ever, of clarifying what La Converse is, what it is not and why it plays an essential role in the contemporary media landscape.
Defining "ghetto"
Before we go any further, let's take a moment to define the word “ghetto”. Originally, ghettos referred to neighbourhoods reserved for Jews, where Jews were forced to live under segregated laws. Later, the word was used to describe places of forced exclusion, symbols of isolation and persecution. In North America, this term is often associated with disadvantaged Black neighbourhoods. According to the Larousse, “ghetto” refers to spaces where minorities live in isolation, usually due to economic pressures or systemic discrimination. Used as an adjective, it can also describe groups that are perceived as insulary. It is probably in this sense that it was used by the professor when he called La Converse “ghetto media.”
However, the sociologist Loïc Wacquent notes that this type of use can create an erroneous impression. When applying the term “ghetto” to initiatives or spaces run by marginalized groups, this reinforces the idea that they are isolated or divisive. Such an interpretation misses their essential role: empowering marginalized communities to have their voices heard in a society where inequalities persist.
Mr. Wacquent also points out that exclusive spaces created by privileged groups, such as rich and homogeneous suburbs, are never qualified as “ghettos,” although they have a social and cultural homogeneity similar to that of any ghetto. This asymmetry shows how the use of this word is marked by judgments and social biases.
What La Converse is not
La Converse is not a ghetto. Qualifying La Converse as a “ghetto” means minimizing the impact of our work and ignoring our role in the media landscape. This term, which has been historically marked by segregation and exclusion, implies that our legitimacy would depend on the frameworks imposed by dominant structures. It's time to get rid of this misconception: when marginalized communities take their place, they don't create ghettos. They create spaces for representation, dialogue and transformation, giving a voice to those living on the margins and strengthening their power to act in a fairer and more inclusive society.
La Converse is not a media that is closed in on itself. Our mission is rooted in stories created by and for communities that are often overlooked, but our content reaches a much wider audience. The questions we address transcend identity boundaries and touch on universal issues. These stories, while rooted in specific experiences, enrich collective understanding and resonate with a diverse audience.
La Converse is not a place of isolation. We are not a medium that avoids or excludes difficult and nuanced conversations. On the contrary, we welcome and encourage them because they are essential for building bridges between people with different perspectives.
La Converse is not an echo chamber. We do not seek to reinforce a single perspective, but to create inclusive spaces where diverse experiences and perspectives can communicate. We approach the issues in all their complexity, without reducing realities to simplistic or binary narratives.
La Converse is not an activist media. Journalists from diverse backgrounds are often the subject of accusations of activism when they cover their own communities, a double standard documented by numerous Canadian researchers. At La Converse, we know that this charge is unfounded. Guided by the code of ethics of the Canadian Association of Journalists and the Professional Federation of Journalists of Quebec, we are committed to maintaining strict standards of accuracy, fairness and transparency. Our approach is not partisan or activist. We practice dialogue journalism, shedding light on issues and connecting diverse perspectives to promote a better understanding of reality.
What is La Converse and why it is essential
La Converse is a media that was founded because many racialized, Indigenous, and marginalized communities are sorely lacking in spaces where they can be heard in all their complexity and humanity. We are creating a media space where dialogue is not only possible but also central, where nuance is established as a core value, and where rich and diverse stories can emerge.
We should really talk about La Converse here as a watchdog for democracy and the “fourth power”. We are helping to strengthen the media ecosystem as a whole.
As an independent media run by racialized women and rooted in a rigorous journalistic ethic, La Converse plays a unique role in the media landscape. We amplify where others silence, and we include where others exclude. That is why we are adopting an approach based on dialogue journalism andbottom-up where narratives emerge from the communities themselves, rather than being imposed from above. In addition, our initiatives, such as Converse Schools, train the next generation of journalists in an inclusive and decolonized approach, which is essential for building a more just and equitable media future.
Journalism should not only inform, but also question power structures and reflect the full diversity of our society. Without that, our democracy is incomplete. La Converse, by amplifying forgotten voices, plays a vital role in the media ecosystem and society as a whole.
The Converse is not a “ghetto”, but a gateway. And as our work continues, I hope that more and more people—even those who question our approach—will feel the power and value of what we're building.
If you believe in the importance of this mission and want to help us continue to amplify these voices, support La Converse. Each contribution helps us continue to drive the necessary changes in today's media landscape.