The blatant disrespect and disregard for Nikole Hannah-Jones and her scholarship by the University of North Carolina [at Chapel Hill] Board of Trustess is yet another example of racism in America. Simply stated: Black people can win (earn) a Pulitzer Prize and a MacArthur Fellowship and still be considered not good enough. 

Being Black in America is fraught with two things. First, showing others that you’re good enough while also not being too good to make them uncomfortable with your greatness. Next, people in positions of power will try to control the things for which you can be great. If Ms. Hannah-Jones won a Pulitzer for something that made White people comfortable, or reinforced the fairytale image of America, I would likely not be writing this today. 

And as a reminder, what’s happening to Ms. Hannah-Jones has absolutely everything to do with her while having nothing to do with her as an individual.