The Next Big Story by Soledad O'Brien Summary

The Next Big Story is a memoir blending Soledad O’Brien’s trailblazing journalism career with reflections on her biracial identity. It details her coverage of major events like Hurricane Katrina, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, and CNN’s Black in America series, while exploring systemic inequality and personal resilience. O’Brien intertwines behind-the-scenes reporting insights with anecdotes about overcoming racial stereotypes and professional challenges.

This book appeals to journalism enthusiasts, fans of O’Brien’s documentaries, and readers interested in race, identity, and social justice. Its mix of career insights (e.g., ethical dilemmas in disaster reporting) and personal growth narratives (e.g., navigating multicultural identity) resonates with aspiring reporters and those exploring systemic inequality.

Yes, for its candid behind-the-scenes journalism stories and nuanced takes on race. While some criticize O’Brien’s concise writing style as “choppy” or find her privilege acknowledgment lacking depth, the book delivers compelling perspectives on media ethics, disaster reporting, and balancing objectivity with empathy.

O’Brien recounts childhood experiences of being told she “wasn’t Black enough” and adult critiques during Black in America production, where bloggers questioned her authenticity. She reflects on overcoming stereotypes as a biracial journalist and the complexity of representing marginalized communities.

O’Brien prioritizes empathy without sensationalism, notably in Haiti earthquake coverage where she focused on survivor resilience over trauma porn. She advocates for ethical storytelling that humanizes subjects, stating, “Every crisis is a sacred opportunity to educate.”

Critics argue O’Brien’s privilege (e.g., avoiding systemic barriers faced by many POC) weakens her encouragement to marginalized groups. Some find her emotional detachment in reporting contradicts her uplifting messages, calling them “insincere.” Others note the memoir’s uneven pacing, with stronger career chapters than childhood anecdotes.

She dissects challenges like navigating logistics during Katrina and balancing objectivity with compassion in Haiti. A standout moment describes interviewing a Haitian woman who lost her children but insisted on thanking rescue workers—a story O’Brien calls “humbling.”

Her parents’ interracial marriage in 1959—a time when such unions were illegal in 22 states—frames her early understanding of inequality. She credits their emphasis on education and perseverance for her career success, while acknowledging their middle-class privileges.

Unlike Cooper’s introspective style, O’Brien leans into reportorial brevity, prioritizing event narratives over lyrical reflection. Both emphasize ethical disaster coverage, but Cooper focuses on personal grief, while O’Brien ties stories to systemic change.

1. “I learned early that storytelling is power”: O’Brien’s thesis on media’s role in shaping narratives.
2. “Empathy isn’t about crying on camera”: Her critique of performative journalism.
3. “My freckles made me an outsider everywhere”: A reflection on biracial identity struggles.

The CNN series forced O’Brien to confront audience skepticism about her racial authenticity. She details pushback from Black activists who critiqued her “proximity to whiteness,” prompting deeper dives into systemic issues like wealth gaps and biased policing.

Its themes—media responsibility during crises, intersectional identity debates, and ethical storytelling—remain urgent amid ongoing discussions about AI-generated news and diversity in journalism. O’Brien’s critique of “checklist diversity” prefigures current DEI backlash analyses.