The Daily Texan’s quasquicentennial marks a significant milestone for our publication. As we look ahead, our priority is clear: to create content that represents and resonates with the UT community — content that informs and uplifts. Yet, it is equally important to recognize the significance of this 125th anniversary within the broader context of our publication’s history.
When the paper, then known as The Texan, released its inaugural issue in 1900, media at the national, state and collegiate levels often perpetuated divisive and harmful narratives with little regard for the communities they affected. The privilege of these platforms was rarely extended to those who needed it most: women, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community and individuals with disabilities, among others. This exclusion was not incidental. Our archives reflect the publication’s complicity in the systemic racism, sexism, homophobia and ableism that have permeated the University’s campus since its founding in 1883.
Progress did come in 1931, when the United States Supreme Court struck down prior restraint in Near v. Minnesota, granting publications protection from state censorship under the First Amendment — including interference from any university administration. In this landmark decision, the Texan gained full control, and thus accountability, of its coverage. Staff did not shy away from this responsibility; instead, editorials became more forthright and established the paper as an unyielding advocate for student interests. As The Daily Texan explored this newfound freedom, it consistently challenged the status quo, risking university funding and enduring political firings to uphold principles of academic and expressive freedom.
More recently, as Senate Bill 17, which prohibits DEI programs in Texas public higher education institutions, reshaped the Forty Acres, the Texan amplified the voices of the marginalized communities it once excluded; publishing over 18 articles in English and Spanish. Our reporters have marched alongside civil rights activists in Selma, Alabama, and mourned the lives of students lost in the Texas Tower shooting, embodying a dedication to truth and advocacy that transcends time, place and purpose.
These strides forward are largely attributed to an increasingly inclusive newsroom. In 1952, Jo Ann Dickerson and Anne Chambers, the first female managing editor team, commenced a new era, saying “The Texan is not on our shoulders, but in our hands.”
The Advocacy & Belonging Board, formerly known as the Diversity & Inclusion Board, has upheld the Texan’s equitable reporting standards since its establishment in 2019. A&B has supported the production of thousands of articles and hundreds of staffers through our production process, which includes proactive reviews, production-day edits, sensitive coverage workshops and mental health discussions. Created by passionate staffers dedicated to making lasting, meaningful change, our department has faced numerous changes and challenges in the wake of SB 17, including our renaming. Yet, our mission to create content that informs and uplifts is unchanged. Today, our team of seven continues to lead conversations about the social equity and awareness that will shape our editorial process and the stories we tell for the next century.
By listening to our community members, identifying coverage gaps and hiring staff who value fair representation, we have improved our content from within — acknowledging that, even today, after more than 20,000 issues, we are still learning to navigate the coverage of complex issues with the nuance and consideration our audience deserves. To truly honor the diverse voices within the UT community and our mission, we not only acknowledge the past, but embrace a future where every Longhorn finds their story reflected in the pages of The Daily Texan.
Mimbela is the current director of Advocacy & Belonging.
