It's amazing how an error in a small detail can ruin a masterpiece.
The story I wrote last week concerning Ward Connerly contained a few small errors that in no way changed the story, but I'm sure affected the credibility in the minds of those who were already skeptical. On one hand, I wish I wouldn't have made the errors, but at the same time I'm glad I learned the lesson I did.
One, when something is on your mind, follow through at that moment.
During my edit, I meant to check Connerly's title. The original story read that he is the University of California Regent. The truth is that he is the former regent.
Two, a bill is passed by legislature, but an initiative is citizen led. This may be general information, but I was exempt from taking government in high school because I passed whatever test that was required in middle school. As soon as I learned of this error, the "I'm just a bill" sitting on capital hill ran through my mind a million times.
Three, when there are errors in your story, it allows those who didn't liked what they said during an interview to portray you as incompetent and claim that other information in a story is be false. A guy, who shares a certain perspective of affirmative action with many of his same race and gender (feels sometimes he's punished for being a white male) gained some understanding when he saw his comments in print. However, the errors in my story ruined my credibility and allowed him to claim my portrayal of him was slighted. Whereas, if my story was accurate, my portrayal of him would have been better justified.
I knew that the only thing that happened was the guy was forced to face one of his unjustifiable biases and didn't want that image displayed publicly.
Disclaimer: I don't think the guy was racist, I don't think his view was unjustifiable, but I just wanted him to see that just as he feels he is punished for being a white male, many minorities feel they are being punished for who they are daily. I wanted him to be understanding and to see that just like he feels he is overlooked to put in a minority we have been overlooked due to nepotism, trying to compete in a culture that is not our own and are counted out when we won't conform. Also, we don't just get promoted due to raced based programs. We can sit in the same classes , learn the same things and be qualified for a job. But other factors - some already named - such as nepotism, racism and sexism and historical denial of needed resources and opportunities can prevent us from occupying successful positions. (No I didn't try to get all this across in the interview, Now I'm just venting)
If anything, the guy should be mad at those in high power (who mostly look like him), who make jobs scarce and influence the economy. Those who divide society based on class and keep those on the bottom in competition with each other.
(Obviously race is still a big issue. I reminded again by Wednesday's lecture when the fact that black people are poorly portrayed in the Missourian was discussed like it was a new issue. Sometimes I get tired of trying to get people to understand such issues, and chose to not to speak in class - especially because I've not spoken during any other class. Ex: If I ask a white friend to go to a predominantly black event, she might say she feels uncomfortable. Understandable. She might not fit in, she may not understand some things, the humor may not be funny to her. Now, think about how I feel everyday. Then think about a group of people who have never thought about how I, and others like me, may feel attempting to cover a day in my life - a possible disaster. Hence you have many racial biases in the Missourian, and race is definitely overlooked when covering stories.)
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Integrity and Character
During the week of Spring Break, I came back to school early to cover Ward Connerly at a Columbia Pachyderm Club meeting. I entered a room full of strangers who seemed nice enough, but I wondered what type of people have the middle of a Friday available to attend (what I thought was) some random meeting. Anyway, when I entered I found a place to sit with a nice woman who offered me a spot at her table when she saw me attemptimg to sit at an already occupied table. I sat in the back with her and found myself staring at the backs of the head of many white-haired, white people. So, I did what is called a speck check (or at least I think that's what the guy who I stole this term from called it), where I scanned the room to see if there are any other black people, or other minorities, in the room. There was one, so I felt like I could sit through the meeting without people staring and wondering why a random black person showed up.
At the time, I wasn't as familiar with Ward Connerly as I should've been. (It was Spring Break!) When a black man entered a room full of predominantly older white people, to speak about affirmative action, I became extremely interested in how he would choose to present his information. He began with a joke about meeting the president. Okay, good, start with a universal joke to loosen people up. Next, tell them why we no longer need affirmative action. What!!! I began to realize this was the "Uncle Tom" another student who I had spoken with about the anti-affirmative action bill was referring to. As Connerly continued speaking, I wanted to drag him behind the restaurant and beat him so that no one else could hear the bs he was spreading. (I'm sure this is the type of speaker a similar audience at an ASNE conference last March would've wanted instead of Spike Lee who came to talk about inequalities during Katrina. A speech during which much of the audience walked out.) However, the audience enjoyed it because they gave him a standing ovation upon the completion of his speech. By this time, I was the only "speck" left in the room.
I knew the only thing harder than not walking up to the podium and telling this man about himself would be to get interviews. For some reason, the president of the Club just couldn't find the words to tell me why she didn't believe in affirmative action. So she called over another member. For some reason, he ust couldn't look me in the eyes when he was talking to me about how he's wonder if a minority candidate has received a job over him. I appreciate him speaking with me, but if it wasn't for my previous summer at the Montgomery Advertiser where I had to listen to an old white lady talk about how black men are criminals and black women are welfare queens an hour before I even began to interview her, I may have been shocked at this incident.
Afterward, I talked to Connerly. I genuinely listened to his perspective. I guess I can see where he is coming from. One, I believe there is a huge disconnect between the older generation of African Americans and the current generation. He believes that many of us expect discrimination and look for handouts because of it. he said tat if we eliminate such programs then people are more like to be placed in positions where they are more competitive and not placed because of quotas that need to be met. I agree to some extent, but this reinforces a stereotype that blacks only get to where they are based on race based programs.
As of now, I am just sharing an experience for the week. I think I successfully completed the assignment because as a journalist, I have to learn to face these situations and come back with a story. I wrote the story objectively, but I addressed many issues that I hear people concerned about, and addressed peoples sentiments without being biased. I didn't beat up anybody and the story was printed the next day with a sufficient amount of useful information, instead of an account of an event. As a journalist I think these incidents help build integrity and character.
At the time, I wasn't as familiar with Ward Connerly as I should've been. (It was Spring Break!) When a black man entered a room full of predominantly older white people, to speak about affirmative action, I became extremely interested in how he would choose to present his information. He began with a joke about meeting the president. Okay, good, start with a universal joke to loosen people up. Next, tell them why we no longer need affirmative action. What!!! I began to realize this was the "Uncle Tom" another student who I had spoken with about the anti-affirmative action bill was referring to. As Connerly continued speaking, I wanted to drag him behind the restaurant and beat him so that no one else could hear the bs he was spreading. (I'm sure this is the type of speaker a similar audience at an ASNE conference last March would've wanted instead of Spike Lee who came to talk about inequalities during Katrina. A speech during which much of the audience walked out.) However, the audience enjoyed it because they gave him a standing ovation upon the completion of his speech. By this time, I was the only "speck" left in the room.
I knew the only thing harder than not walking up to the podium and telling this man about himself would be to get interviews. For some reason, the president of the Club just couldn't find the words to tell me why she didn't believe in affirmative action. So she called over another member. For some reason, he ust couldn't look me in the eyes when he was talking to me about how he's wonder if a minority candidate has received a job over him. I appreciate him speaking with me, but if it wasn't for my previous summer at the Montgomery Advertiser where I had to listen to an old white lady talk about how black men are criminals and black women are welfare queens an hour before I even began to interview her, I may have been shocked at this incident.
Afterward, I talked to Connerly. I genuinely listened to his perspective. I guess I can see where he is coming from. One, I believe there is a huge disconnect between the older generation of African Americans and the current generation. He believes that many of us expect discrimination and look for handouts because of it. he said tat if we eliminate such programs then people are more like to be placed in positions where they are more competitive and not placed because of quotas that need to be met. I agree to some extent, but this reinforces a stereotype that blacks only get to where they are based on race based programs.
As of now, I am just sharing an experience for the week. I think I successfully completed the assignment because as a journalist, I have to learn to face these situations and come back with a story. I wrote the story objectively, but I addressed many issues that I hear people concerned about, and addressed peoples sentiments without being biased. I didn't beat up anybody and the story was printed the next day with a sufficient amount of useful information, instead of an account of an event. As a journalist I think these incidents help build integrity and character.
Friday, April 4, 2008
During the week of Spring Break, I came back to school early to cover Ward Connerly at a Columbia Pachyderm Club meeting. I entered a room full of strangers who seemed nice enough, but I wondered what type of people have the middle of a Friday available to attend (what I thought was) some random meeting. Anyway, when I entered I found a place to sit with a nice woman who offered me a spot at her table when she saw me attemptimg to sit at an already occupied table. I sat in the back with her and found myself staring at the backs of the head of many white-haired, white people. So, I did what is called a speck check (or at least I think that's what the guy who I stole this term from called it), where I scanned the room to see if there are any other black people, or other minorities, in the room. There was one, so I felt like I could sit through the meeting without people staring and wondering why a random black person showed up.
At the time, I wasn't as familiar with Ward Connerly as I should've been. (It was Spring Break!) When a black man entered a room full of predominantly older white people, to speak about affirmative action, I became extremely interested in how he would choose to present his information. He began with a joke about meeting the president. Okay, good, start with a universal joke to loosen people up. Next, tell them why we no longer need affirmative action. What!!! I began to realize this was the "Uncle Tom" another student who I had spoken with about the anti-affirmative action bill was referring to. As Connerly continued speaking, I wanted to drag him behind the restaurant and beat him so that no one else could hear the bs he was spreading. (I'm sure this is the type of speaker a similar audience at an ASNE conference last March would've wanted instead of Spike Lee who came to talk about inequalities during Katrina. A speech during which much of the audience walked out.) However, the audience enjoyed it because they gave him a standing ovation upon the completion of his speech. By this time, I was the only "speck" left in the room.
I knew the only thing harder than not walking up to the podium and telling this man about himself would be to get interviews. For some reason, the president of the Club just couldn't find the words to tell me why she didn't believe in affirmative action. So she called over another member. For some reason, he ust couldn't look me in the eyes when he was talking to me about how he's wonder if a minority candidate has received a job over him. I appreciate him speaking with me, but if it wasn't for my previous summer at the Montgomery Advertiser where I had to listen to an old white lady talk about how black men are criminals and black women are welfare queens an hour before I even began to interview her, I may have been shocked at this incident.
Afterward, I talked to Connerly. I genuinely listened to his perspective. I guess I can see where he is coming from. One, I believe there is a huge disconnect between the older generation of African Americans and the current generation. He believes that many of us expect discrimination and look for handouts because of it. he said tat if we eliminate such programs then people are more like to be placed in positions where they are more competitive and not placed because of quotas that need to be met. I agree to some extent, but this reinforces a stereotype that blacks only get to where they are based on race based programs.
As of now, I am just sharing an experience for the week. I think I successfully completed the assignment because as a journalist, I have to learn to face these situations and come back with a story. I wrote the story objectively, but I addressed many issues that I hear people concerned about, and addressed peoples sentiments without being biased. I didn't beat up anybody and the story was printed the next day with a sufficient amount of useful information, instead of an account of an event. As a journalist I think these incidents help build integrity and character.
At the time, I wasn't as familiar with Ward Connerly as I should've been. (It was Spring Break!) When a black man entered a room full of predominantly older white people, to speak about affirmative action, I became extremely interested in how he would choose to present his information. He began with a joke about meeting the president. Okay, good, start with a universal joke to loosen people up. Next, tell them why we no longer need affirmative action. What!!! I began to realize this was the "Uncle Tom" another student who I had spoken with about the anti-affirmative action bill was referring to. As Connerly continued speaking, I wanted to drag him behind the restaurant and beat him so that no one else could hear the bs he was spreading. (I'm sure this is the type of speaker a similar audience at an ASNE conference last March would've wanted instead of Spike Lee who came to talk about inequalities during Katrina. A speech during which much of the audience walked out.) However, the audience enjoyed it because they gave him a standing ovation upon the completion of his speech. By this time, I was the only "speck" left in the room.
I knew the only thing harder than not walking up to the podium and telling this man about himself would be to get interviews. For some reason, the president of the Club just couldn't find the words to tell me why she didn't believe in affirmative action. So she called over another member. For some reason, he ust couldn't look me in the eyes when he was talking to me about how he's wonder if a minority candidate has received a job over him. I appreciate him speaking with me, but if it wasn't for my previous summer at the Montgomery Advertiser where I had to listen to an old white lady talk about how black men are criminals and black women are welfare queens an hour before I even began to interview her, I may have been shocked at this incident.
Afterward, I talked to Connerly. I genuinely listened to his perspective. I guess I can see where he is coming from. One, I believe there is a huge disconnect between the older generation of African Americans and the current generation. He believes that many of us expect discrimination and look for handouts because of it. he said tat if we eliminate such programs then people are more like to be placed in positions where they are more competitive and not placed because of quotas that need to be met. I agree to some extent, but this reinforces a stereotype that blacks only get to where they are based on race based programs.
As of now, I am just sharing an experience for the week. I think I successfully completed the assignment because as a journalist, I have to learn to face these situations and come back with a story. I wrote the story objectively, but I addressed many issues that I hear people concerned about, and addressed peoples sentiments without being biased. I didn't beat up anybody and the story was printed the next day with a sufficient amount of useful information, instead of an account of an event. As a journalist I think these incidents help build integrity and character.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Whaat a week!!
This week was somewhat bittersweet for me.
Although I feel I got a lot accomplished this week, I didn’t feel as if my work received to attention it should have.
My shells group met last week and we discussed some possible topics for growth. I was interested in learning about the type of people the city attracts. Often I will go to interview people for other stories and will learn they are not from Columbia, but are from some big city. So I thought it would be interesting to see the changing demographics and find out why people have moved to Columbia.
Well, this week I went out to The ARC to interview some people about the “Let’s Talk Columbia” event. I got some great contacts for the story. This was definitely a plus for me.
The downside to this story is these contacts were not used for the reason I collected them to begin with.
I was told to work with an editor about “Let’s Talk Columbia”. Due to a thing we will call miscommunication my information was not used for the story for which it was intended. I ended up spending valuable time at The Arc the night before I had two tests. I ended up late for work - missing about $25 of pay, a meal, and received a point on my record - trying to type up my information for the event. What really turned everything sour was the fact that the editor I was working with left the newsroom while I was still busting my behind trying to finish up.
I had no idea what was going on with the story. No idea what it was being used for... and he left.
Anyway, I’m proud of the effort I made this week despite other obligations, and hopefully this information will aid the growth group in a way that I can look back and appreciate this week.
Although I feel I got a lot accomplished this week, I didn’t feel as if my work received to attention it should have.
My shells group met last week and we discussed some possible topics for growth. I was interested in learning about the type of people the city attracts. Often I will go to interview people for other stories and will learn they are not from Columbia, but are from some big city. So I thought it would be interesting to see the changing demographics and find out why people have moved to Columbia.
Well, this week I went out to The ARC to interview some people about the “Let’s Talk Columbia” event. I got some great contacts for the story. This was definitely a plus for me.
The downside to this story is these contacts were not used for the reason I collected them to begin with.
I was told to work with an editor about “Let’s Talk Columbia”. Due to a thing we will call miscommunication my information was not used for the story for which it was intended. I ended up spending valuable time at The Arc the night before I had two tests. I ended up late for work - missing about $25 of pay, a meal, and received a point on my record - trying to type up my information for the event. What really turned everything sour was the fact that the editor I was working with left the newsroom while I was still busting my behind trying to finish up.
I had no idea what was going on with the story. No idea what it was being used for... and he left.
Anyway, I’m proud of the effort I made this week despite other obligations, and hopefully this information will aid the growth group in a way that I can look back and appreciate this week.
Friday, February 8, 2008
First Week Back
Three weeks into my Advance Reporting class I finally decide to post a blog.
Although, class has been in session for three weeks, I am considering this week my first week back in class. I am considering this my first week back because I am finally to the place where I can begin to focus on school --especially the advanced reporting class. I haven't quite reached the point where I'm ready to sign my life over to the Missourian, but I am ready to at least mentally prepare myself to walk into the newsroom again.
I've been showing up at the Missourian for four years now, but it's still something about this newsroom that feels foreign to me. I don't get a sense of work when I walk in, but I feel like I've yet again been suckered into working for the top school for journalism. While some students are eager to show up and shine, I am quite comfortable learning things I feel I never would have discovered on my own.
After six years of calling myself a journalist, I'm ready to put myself to the test. For me this semester is about honing in on my skills. I should be able to put a story together with some pretty creatvie angles in a descent amount of time. While this sounds like the basics of journalism, for me it's more of a decision make: to pursue a previously decided career path, or decide upon another path that embodies my passion.
With all this in mind, and the fact that I just got paid so I an quit thinking about money 24/7, I wanted my first week back to be smooth. I once again have to remember I'm a journalist and its my job to be informed of the news. I once again must find my voice for a mainstream newspaper when I know I'm more concerned about seeing my community prosper through access to information.
So, for my first week back I did okay. I wrote two stories about Michael Eric Dyson coming to campus. I received compliments from two editors on the flow of my stories -- something I'm proud of becasue usually I have a problem with organization. Additionally, I plan to catch up on reading this weekend. I'm pretty happy I didn't let my first two weeks persuade me to give up. I'm proud for pitching a story a week before several people decided to pitch it daily in budget. I wrote something for on-line and didn't decide to cancel because it wasn't going in print; I realized this on-line thing is serious business
(something I've been hearing for years, but something that doesn't register for a person who just bought her first laptop and doesn't have internet access at home).
Let's hope the second week (actually the fourth) will be just as successful!
Although, class has been in session for three weeks, I am considering this week my first week back in class. I am considering this my first week back because I am finally to the place where I can begin to focus on school --especially the advanced reporting class. I haven't quite reached the point where I'm ready to sign my life over to the Missourian, but I am ready to at least mentally prepare myself to walk into the newsroom again.
I've been showing up at the Missourian for four years now, but it's still something about this newsroom that feels foreign to me. I don't get a sense of work when I walk in, but I feel like I've yet again been suckered into working for the top school for journalism. While some students are eager to show up and shine, I am quite comfortable learning things I feel I never would have discovered on my own.
After six years of calling myself a journalist, I'm ready to put myself to the test. For me this semester is about honing in on my skills. I should be able to put a story together with some pretty creatvie angles in a descent amount of time. While this sounds like the basics of journalism, for me it's more of a decision make: to pursue a previously decided career path, or decide upon another path that embodies my passion.
With all this in mind, and the fact that I just got paid so I an quit thinking about money 24/7, I wanted my first week back to be smooth. I once again have to remember I'm a journalist and its my job to be informed of the news. I once again must find my voice for a mainstream newspaper when I know I'm more concerned about seeing my community prosper through access to information.
So, for my first week back I did okay. I wrote two stories about Michael Eric Dyson coming to campus. I received compliments from two editors on the flow of my stories -- something I'm proud of becasue usually I have a problem with organization. Additionally, I plan to catch up on reading this weekend. I'm pretty happy I didn't let my first two weeks persuade me to give up. I'm proud for pitching a story a week before several people decided to pitch it daily in budget. I wrote something for on-line and didn't decide to cancel because it wasn't going in print; I realized this on-line thing is serious business
(something I've been hearing for years, but something that doesn't register for a person who just bought her first laptop and doesn't have internet access at home).
Let's hope the second week (actually the fourth) will be just as successful!
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