Me as a young editor at The Washington Post in 2017.
One of life’s most agonizing decisions is debating when to walk away from something you once loved.
I spent 11 years as an editor and writer at The Washington Post. I deeply cared about journalism—about responsibly wielding the power of the pen and the Washington Post’s reach to challenge power, fight injustice, and, many times, help find joy and light in what has felt like a darkening world. I worked with some of the best, brightest, and bravest in the business. Many readers will remember my work as an editor with Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi journalist and Washington Post Global Opinions columnist who was brutally murdered in 2018 by agents of the Saudi regime.
In 2021, I transitioned from editing to becoming a columnist writing on race, gender, culture, and global human rights.
I loved my work.
In the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk killing, I did my job as an opinion writer; I offered commentary about America’s gun violence problem, especially its propensity to give grace and absolution to white men who espouse hatred and violence.
For that, the Washington Post wrongfully fired me over email the very next day, without a conversation. The Post accused me of gross misconduct and labeled me a threat to my colleagues.
Ever since I went public on Monday about my firing from the Washington Post, there has been a lot of misinformation about the stated reasons for my firing. A narrative that has taken hold is that I was fired for mentioning Charlie Kirk’s views on Black women.
With support from the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, Norman Eisen, and the Democracy Defenders Fund, I spent a year fighting my termination. In August, an independent arbitrator ruled that the Washington Post had no just cause to fire me. I won reinstatement and full back pay.
My arbitration win was a monumental victory for unions, for journalists, and for free speech. As the last full-time Black columnist in the Opinions section, I recognized how important the win was for Black journalists, especially those pushed out of newsrooms in recent years.
While I remain proud of the victory, I came to the painful realization that returning to The Washington Post meant coming back without the guaranteed freedom and institutional support to do what I loved: use my voice, seek truth, and serve readers.
I have decided not to return to what The Washington Post has become. I have accepted a settlement with the Post and will move forward with my life and career.
As excruciating as this battle has been, it was one worth fighting. I am deeply grateful to everyone who supported me throughout this fight and helped me celebrate the victory. I am also indebted to the readers who have continued to believe in my work and who still believe in the power of journalism.
Thank you all for being in my corner.
Forward ever, backward never.
-Karen