Post Reports

In a newsroom, it’s rare that a question of whether to capitalize a word sparks intense discussion and debate. But in June, an issue of textual style became an urgent topic at The Washington Post: Should journalists begin capitalizing the word “Black” when used as a racial identifier? And if so … what does that mean for “White”? And “Brown”? 
“During my lifetime, this decision has come up a lot,” says Jesse Lewis, who leads The Post’s copy editing desk. “I was born in the ’50s, and at the time, ‘Negro’ was the preferred term. … Then you get to the late ’60s, early ’70s, ‘African-American’ was used as the term of discussion. There are things that happen in society that bring these issues to the forefront.” 
The story of how The Post’s final decision came about — with intense discussions within our newsroom and throughout the journalism industry — says a lot about our moment of racial reckoning, and the thoughtfulness and deliberation that moment demands. 
And the results can be controversial — especially when it came to the decision on whether to identify America’s White community with a capital W. 
“There’s a certain denialism to the idea that race isn’t an issue,” Lewis said, arguing for the need to classify White as a racial identity. “Writers have said, maybe you just uppercase ‘White’ because then it’s recognized, or Whites recognize it as a racial category, and they will have to deal with the consequences of being categorized by race.”
Read more:
The Washington Post memo on writing style changes for racial and ethnic identifiers: The Post will capitalize Black to identify groups that make up the African diaspora.
Nell Irvin Painter: Why ‘White’ should be capitalized, too.
Eve Ewing: I’m a Black Scholar Who Studies Race. Here’s Why I Capitalize ‘White.’
Kwame Anthony Appiah: The Case for Capitalizing the B in Black.
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Police officers around the country are fielding an increasing number of mental-health calls. Hannah Dreier documents what it’s been like for one officer who recently completed his department’s de-escalation training. And, Michelle Boorstein reports on how gospel choirs are adapting to the pandemic’s socially distanced reality.
Read more:
Converging in a tense section of Huntsville: A White police officer fresh from de-escalation training, a troubled Black woman with a gun, and a crowd with cellphones ready to record.
Her gospel choir brought her closer to God. Now she can only hum from home.
Can a president delay a U.S. election? The Washington Post’s ‘Can He Do That’ podcast unpacks the question.
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Amber Phillips recaps Attorney General William P. Barr’s combative testimony on Capitol Hill. Peter Whoriskey uncovers how Johnson & Johnson companies used a “super poppy” to make narcotics for America’s most abused opioid pills. Plus, Michael Andor Brodeur on the sound of the pandemic. 
Read more:
Takeaways from Attorney General Barr’s contentious congressional hearing
Johnson & Johnson companies used a ‘super poppy’ to make narcotics for popular opioid pills
Music for the pandemic
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Trying to find 30,000 test subjects for a coronavirus vaccine, from Carolyn Y. Johnson. How white moms on the front line of Portland, Ore., protests are trying to balance power with privilege, according to the people who spoke with reporter Marissa Lang. Plus, a seismically quiet Earth during the pandemic’s shutdowns, from science reporter Joel Achenbach.
Read more:
Trials for coronavirus vaccines are underway, but we still have a long way to go.
The “Wall of Moms” participating in Portland’s protests are also becoming the face of the movement. Here’s why that might be a problem. 
A drop in seismic “noise” during shutdowns around the world.
Get all of the questions you might have about the coronavirus answered with this FAQ from The Post.
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Perry Stein on the private-school choice parents are making as public classrooms remain closed. Geoff Fowler guides us through the privacy risks on TikTok. And Michele Norris explains the significance of John Lewis’s final journey. 
Read more:
As public schools go all virtual in the fall, parents eye private schools that promise to open their campuses.
Is it time to delete TikTok? A guide to the rumors and real privacy risks. 
The late congressman John Lewis lies in state at the Capitol.
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As a black police officer in Plainfield, N.J., Martesse Gilliam thought he could change policing from the inside — until he ended up on the outside. Plus, Steven Zeitchik on how movie theaters are adjusting to the pandemic. 
Read more:
The duty and burden of the black police officer
As movie theaters reopen, they’re tackling a role they never expected to play: Psychologist
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Matt Zapotosky dissects the deployment of federal agents to American cities. Max Bearak reports on the surprising effects of the coronavirus on Kenya’s wildlife preservation. And Dave Sheinin on the changes to baseball on Opening Day. 
Read more:
Trump announces an increase in the use of federal law enforcement in U.S. cities.
Coronavirus is crushing tourism — and cutting off a lifeline for wildlife.
Opening day amid coronavirus: Masks, empty parks, social justice.
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Today on Post Reports, Jeff Stein tracks the GOP infighting complicating the trillion-dollar stimulus deal. As President Trump nears the end of his first term, Juliet Eilperin explains what’s at stake in the environmental world. And Christopher Rowland, on the race to make enough small glass vials to deliver coronavirus vaccines around the world. 
Read more:
A rift forms between the White House and Senate Republicans as they stumble to formulate a unified coronavirus budget plan.
Nixon signed this key environmental law. Trump plans to change it to speed up pipelines, highway projects and more. 
Glass vials for vaccines are in demand, as governments and drug companies rush to lock down supply. 
All Told: How a public school teacher and his students are confronting the challenges of life without a classroom. 
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Investigative reporter Dalton Bennett goes on a quest to find the shadowy figure behind a number of social media hoaxes –– the most recent played out in Gettysburg on Independence Day –– that have riled far-right extremists and repeatedly duped media outlets. 
Read more:
The Troll: A fake flag burning at Gettysburg was only his latest hoax.
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Today on Post Reports, Devlin Barrett and Marissa Lang explain why federal tactical units have been deployed to Portland, Ore. — over the protest of city officials. And Jonathan Capehart, on the life and legacy of John Lewis.
Read more:
Federal officials ignore city officials’ calls to leave Portland as clashes with protesters continue.
Civil rights icon and congressman John Lewis died on Friday. Jonathan Capehart remembers the life and legacy of one of the original freedom fighters. 
Hear more from and about John Lewis on Post podcasts Cape Up and Constitutional.
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