Am I naïve, or have things drastically changed? As a sports fan growing up, I spent a lot of time cheering on my favorite local teams. Like everyone else, I had favorite players. Being from the Detroit area and growing up in the 90s meant that Barry Sanders and Sergei Federov might as well have been created by Stan Lee. I would watch every game I could and cheer for the Redwings, Lions, Tigers, and Pistons to win.
What I don’t remember doing is cheering for the other team to lose. The other team didn’t really matter, and they weren’t of any consequence to my fandom—they were just the other team. The other team had to be present in order for my team to win, but their demise wasn’t my focus; it wasn’t even in my peripherals.
Things seemed to have changed. I saw a picture today of a female fan flipping off Joakim Noah after he had been ejected from one of the Bulls’ matchups with the Heat in this year’s NBA Playoffs. If you’ve ever heard Dane Cook’s description of a giant middle finger with eight knuckles and a million tiny middle fingers raining down around it, you have somewhat of an understanding of just how violent this woman’s intentions were.
I know I was late in seeing this incident, because I have largely distanced myself from any interest in the NBA. I’m not trying to pick on this woman in particular, because I think her sentiment is shared by the vast majority of sports fans.
Adam Jacobi wrote an article called, “The Difference between a Good Fan and a Bad Fan” in regards to the same incident. He says that the middle finger would’ve been acceptable except that, “Noah didn’t do anything to the fans to ask for it.”
I couldn’t disagree more. Who cares if someone “asks for it?” Since when do we teach that two wrongs make a right? I see this attitude as a piece of a paradigm shift in sports, and perhaps in society in general. I mentioned earlier how I grew up with a great deal of love for my favorite teams. I feel that today, most sports fans’ appreciation for their own team in overpowered by their hatred of the other team.
I saw further evidence of this tonight when watching the Redwings take on the Blackhawks in a playoff hockey game. I’m sure Chicago fans were outraged at the middle finger toward Noah, but this didn’t stop them from treating an opposing player with disrespect the next time they had a chance. Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard stood on his head, walked on his hands, juggled with his feet, and did everything else he could possibly do before surrendering the losing goal midway through the third period of game one.
Chicago fans went nuts when the goal was scored, and rightfully so. After all, if you aren’t excited when your team scores, then why are you at the game to begin with? They didn't stop with supporting their own club, however. Immediately following the uproar was a long, slow, taunting chant of Howard’s name. What did he do to deserve this? Is he worthy of ridicule because he did his best and came up just short? Would those fans appreciate being taunted if they made a mistake in the wording of an email at their job?
Unfortunately this problem isn’t unique to Chicago, and I have no intentions of picking on them either. I heard my fellow Detroiters doing the same thing to Jonas Hiller just a few days ago in the midst of a very impressive performance on his behalf. I just don’t understand the negativity, and it is really pushing me away from being a sports fan.
I remember a story of my grandpa going to a Tigers game and cheering on one of the opposing infielders as he was making a diving stop and beating his man with a throw to first. As the story goes, Grandpa got some funny looks, but he shrugged them off. “It was a good play,” he said proudly, “he deserved to know it.” I wish this is what being a sports fan still meant, but I feel as though that’s not the case. Am I naïve, or have things drastically changed?
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Students, staff share weather concerns
Officials from the EMU Physical Plant Department released an email to students and faculty on Wednesday reminding the university community of the official severe weather policy. With many of its 20,000 plus students being commuters, the assurance of safe driving conditions is a prominent issue for the EMU community.
The policy states that the university president, in conjunction with the Department of Pubic Safety and the Physical Plant, will make a decision regarding closures when a severe weather situation arises. In the opinion of many, the decision to close the university amidst inclement weather is not made frequently enough.
“They should lower their standards a little bit,” said Matthew Hoover, 23, a Japanese Language and Culture Junior. “Sometimes I can’t get out of my house because we get snow drifts,” he added.
“I commuted from Brownstown last year and there were a couple days that I was in danger driving to school,” said Kate Geary, 23, a Biology and Dance Senior “EMU is a huge commuter school and should consider their students,” she added. Others think that the universities policy is doing just fine.
“I think the university's weather policy is quite good,” said James Stimpson, 28, a Political Science graduate. “If there are any issues, they have predefined times to make decisions, as well as multiple ways to disseminate the information to the university community."
With significant snowfall already this month and a forecast calling for more in the coming days, many students are concerned about the driving conditions already.
“I have a feeling that the weather would have to be much more severe than for normal elementary school closings,” said Hoover. “Colleges seem to have higher requirements in general,” he explained, adding that he has felt pressure in the past to attend class in cases of severe weather.
Students are not the only members of the community affected by severe weather. Many of the faculty and staff also reside in communities outside of the Ypsilanti area.
“The president runs the university, and the public safety people are the closest university equivalent of a road commission,” said James Pinson, 57, a Journalism Professor who drives a little over a half hour to work each day. He adds that they are probably the most qualified people to make the decision.
Pinson agrees that students should not be penalized for missing class during times of inclement weather even if the university remains open. “If the weather was bad on a particular day of my class, I know it and give students who couldn't or were afraid to drive in it an excused absence,” he explains. “Plenty of times I’ve thought the University should’ve cancelled classes and didn’t,” he added.
“No matter how bad the weather was, I've usually tried to make it in,” Pinson explained, “although sometimes I haven't been able to or felt it was unnecessarily dangerous,”
“Do I go to class or do I stay home because I could get in a severe accident?” Hoover ponders aloud, echoing Pinson’s concern. “It has been an issue in the past.”
This raises the point that, regardless of university policy, the students are the ones who decide whether or not having class is plausible. “I’m willing to roll with the punches and deal with a slight decrease in my homework grade if I have to,” said Hoover.
To view the full version of EMU’s severe weather policy, visit emich.edu/univcomm/weatherpolicy.html. To receive text messages regarding weather and other emergencies affecting the EMU community go to emich.edu/alerts. The Department of Public Safety can be reached at emich.edu/publicsafety.
The policy states that the university president, in conjunction with the Department of Pubic Safety and the Physical Plant, will make a decision regarding closures when a severe weather situation arises. In the opinion of many, the decision to close the university amidst inclement weather is not made frequently enough.
“They should lower their standards a little bit,” said Matthew Hoover, 23, a Japanese Language and Culture Junior. “Sometimes I can’t get out of my house because we get snow drifts,” he added.
“I commuted from Brownstown last year and there were a couple days that I was in danger driving to school,” said Kate Geary, 23, a Biology and Dance Senior “EMU is a huge commuter school and should consider their students,” she added. Others think that the universities policy is doing just fine.
“I think the university's weather policy is quite good,” said James Stimpson, 28, a Political Science graduate. “If there are any issues, they have predefined times to make decisions, as well as multiple ways to disseminate the information to the university community."
With significant snowfall already this month and a forecast calling for more in the coming days, many students are concerned about the driving conditions already.
“I have a feeling that the weather would have to be much more severe than for normal elementary school closings,” said Hoover. “Colleges seem to have higher requirements in general,” he explained, adding that he has felt pressure in the past to attend class in cases of severe weather.
Students are not the only members of the community affected by severe weather. Many of the faculty and staff also reside in communities outside of the Ypsilanti area.
“The president runs the university, and the public safety people are the closest university equivalent of a road commission,” said James Pinson, 57, a Journalism Professor who drives a little over a half hour to work each day. He adds that they are probably the most qualified people to make the decision.
Pinson agrees that students should not be penalized for missing class during times of inclement weather even if the university remains open. “If the weather was bad on a particular day of my class, I know it and give students who couldn't or were afraid to drive in it an excused absence,” he explains. “Plenty of times I’ve thought the University should’ve cancelled classes and didn’t,” he added.
“No matter how bad the weather was, I've usually tried to make it in,” Pinson explained, “although sometimes I haven't been able to or felt it was unnecessarily dangerous,”
“Do I go to class or do I stay home because I could get in a severe accident?” Hoover ponders aloud, echoing Pinson’s concern. “It has been an issue in the past.”
This raises the point that, regardless of university policy, the students are the ones who decide whether or not having class is plausible. “I’m willing to roll with the punches and deal with a slight decrease in my homework grade if I have to,” said Hoover.
To view the full version of EMU’s severe weather policy, visit emich.edu/univcomm/weatherpolicy.html. To receive text messages regarding weather and other emergencies affecting the EMU community go to emich.edu/alerts. The Department of Public Safety can be reached at emich.edu/publicsafety.
Honoring teaching excellence
During the winter months it’s common to turn to the local television or internet news in order to get information on the latest school closings. Normally these closings are due to inclement weather conditions and things return to normal in a day or two after road crews have had a chance to plow and salt the roads making it safe for busses to travel to and fro.
These days, however, amidst staggering budget deficits and an economic recession that is the worst in many of our lifetimes, these schools aren’t just closing their doors for a snow-day; they are closing them for good. It’s hard not to hear about the latest closure and how it’s going to affect the community. With all of the negativity surrounding the education field, it is especially commendable that some instructors are able to keep a positive attitude and try to make a real difference in students’ lives.
Professor Paul Majeske, of Eastern Michigan University’s College of Technology was recently recognized by the Alumni Association with a very high honor; an Excellence in Teaching Award.
“Several former students got together and submitted the nomination material,” explained Majeske, adding that it felt, “awesome,” to receive such an honor. “I was chosen by students who weren’t solicited,” he exclaimed, adding that, “there have only been a little over 100 of these awards given out in 12 years or so.”
“Originally I didn’t want to go because I was going to have to miss class,” Majeske explained, showing his true commitment to education, “but then I remembered that this is why I do what I do,” he added
The award was presented, along with a commemorative medallion and certificate, at a Saturday breakfast in the EMU Student Center with further ceremonies being held during halftime at the men’s basketball game on February, 4. “It was extremely nice and many people were there. I had my family and close friends sitting with me. I was a little nervous,” Majeske admitted.
Having taught in EMU’s College of Technology for a total of 16 years, Majeske says that his favorite part about the university is its commitment to teaching. “I hope for my students to be better people and to learn,” explains Majeske, adding that his daily approach consists of making sure this happens as a result of his efforts.
Positivity is often hard to find; especially in light of economic trends and the slew of vacant building surrounding our once lucrative towns and cities. Assurance only comes in knowing that certain people are trying to have a positive impact in the world and create a better future for those around them.
“Teaching (at EMU) is the perfect blend of all the interests in my life. I didn’t select it as a career; it selected me,” Majeske explains, laughing that insomnia has been his biggest inspiration.
Asked about the example he hopes to set for his own children, Majeske concludes, “I hope they can also find something they truly love to do, I hope it shows when they see me receive things like this award.”
Nominations for Teaching Excellence Awards are accepted annually with this year’s deadline on March 5. To nominate an instructor or get more information on the award visit http://www.emich.edu/alumni or call the alumni relations office at
(734)487-0250.
These days, however, amidst staggering budget deficits and an economic recession that is the worst in many of our lifetimes, these schools aren’t just closing their doors for a snow-day; they are closing them for good. It’s hard not to hear about the latest closure and how it’s going to affect the community. With all of the negativity surrounding the education field, it is especially commendable that some instructors are able to keep a positive attitude and try to make a real difference in students’ lives.
Professor Paul Majeske, of Eastern Michigan University’s College of Technology was recently recognized by the Alumni Association with a very high honor; an Excellence in Teaching Award.
“Several former students got together and submitted the nomination material,” explained Majeske, adding that it felt, “awesome,” to receive such an honor. “I was chosen by students who weren’t solicited,” he exclaimed, adding that, “there have only been a little over 100 of these awards given out in 12 years or so.”
“Originally I didn’t want to go because I was going to have to miss class,” Majeske explained, showing his true commitment to education, “but then I remembered that this is why I do what I do,” he added
The award was presented, along with a commemorative medallion and certificate, at a Saturday breakfast in the EMU Student Center with further ceremonies being held during halftime at the men’s basketball game on February, 4. “It was extremely nice and many people were there. I had my family and close friends sitting with me. I was a little nervous,” Majeske admitted.
Having taught in EMU’s College of Technology for a total of 16 years, Majeske says that his favorite part about the university is its commitment to teaching. “I hope for my students to be better people and to learn,” explains Majeske, adding that his daily approach consists of making sure this happens as a result of his efforts.
Positivity is often hard to find; especially in light of economic trends and the slew of vacant building surrounding our once lucrative towns and cities. Assurance only comes in knowing that certain people are trying to have a positive impact in the world and create a better future for those around them.
“Teaching (at EMU) is the perfect blend of all the interests in my life. I didn’t select it as a career; it selected me,” Majeske explains, laughing that insomnia has been his biggest inspiration.
Asked about the example he hopes to set for his own children, Majeske concludes, “I hope they can also find something they truly love to do, I hope it shows when they see me receive things like this award.”
Nominations for Teaching Excellence Awards are accepted annually with this year’s deadline on March 5. To nominate an instructor or get more information on the award visit http://www.emich.edu/alumni or call the alumni relations office at
(734)487-0250.
Detroit identity theft case to resume
The hearing of a local identity theft case is set to resume this week after being sent to recess on March 8 by a 35th District judge.
Clifford Thomas, a Detroit man currently incarcerated on an unrelated offense, is charged with 12 counts of using a computer to commit a crime, each carrying a charge between four and five years.
Police arrested Thomas nearly two years ago after Detroit Police Detective Rabson traced the IP address on several phony transactions to 19719 Gilchrist, the Detroit address at which Thomas was admittedly staying at the time of the crimes. The personal information of three individuals was being stored in a shoebox in the basement upon the search of the home. This evidence was, according to Detective Rabson, tagged and retained as evidence.
According to detectives, Thomas claimed that a friend by the name of Kenny was the one collecting individuals’ personal information, admitting that he was only responsible for entering it into the computer. According to the same report, Thomas also admitted to receiving money in exchange for his actions; knowing that the individuals had not willingly surrendered their personal information.
Thomas was not able to give any information regarding the identity or whereabouts of the man he called Kenny, and police were unable to locate him or verify his involvement in the crimes. Shawna Blackman, the owner of the home Thomas was living in, also provided no information.
The individuals whom Thomas is charged with defrauding include Lauren Cogalli, Joseph Campbell, Lois Brown, and Tamara Olson. Each of these individuals had financial documents in their name at the Gilchrist house and claims to have not given Thomas permission to obtain these documents.
The case is set to resume at 8 a.m. March 12 at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit. Thomas, at the request of his attorney, will be released from incarceration on $10,000 personal bond in order to attend the trial.
Clifford Thomas, a Detroit man currently incarcerated on an unrelated offense, is charged with 12 counts of using a computer to commit a crime, each carrying a charge between four and five years.
Police arrested Thomas nearly two years ago after Detroit Police Detective Rabson traced the IP address on several phony transactions to 19719 Gilchrist, the Detroit address at which Thomas was admittedly staying at the time of the crimes. The personal information of three individuals was being stored in a shoebox in the basement upon the search of the home. This evidence was, according to Detective Rabson, tagged and retained as evidence.
According to detectives, Thomas claimed that a friend by the name of Kenny was the one collecting individuals’ personal information, admitting that he was only responsible for entering it into the computer. According to the same report, Thomas also admitted to receiving money in exchange for his actions; knowing that the individuals had not willingly surrendered their personal information.
Thomas was not able to give any information regarding the identity or whereabouts of the man he called Kenny, and police were unable to locate him or verify his involvement in the crimes. Shawna Blackman, the owner of the home Thomas was living in, also provided no information.
The individuals whom Thomas is charged with defrauding include Lauren Cogalli, Joseph Campbell, Lois Brown, and Tamara Olson. Each of these individuals had financial documents in their name at the Gilchrist house and claims to have not given Thomas permission to obtain these documents.
The case is set to resume at 8 a.m. March 12 at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit. Thomas, at the request of his attorney, will be released from incarceration on $10,000 personal bond in order to attend the trial.
Board covers 8th Annual Liberty Fest, other calendar issues
The Canton Township Board of Trustees met Tuesday to discuss calendar and budget issues for the upcoming months.
Among the topics discussed was the confirmation of the 8th annual Liberty Festival Parade that is scheduled from 9am-11am on Saturday, June 19, 2010. The board approved the temporary closing of Ford Rd. during these hours along a stretch from Canton Center to Lilley roads. The request came from the Michigan Department of Transportation and was granted via unanimous decision.
Wade Shows has been selected on the basis of a one year contract to provide carnival rides and attractions which have been a part of the weekend long festival since 2007. According to Supervisor LaJoy, a five person panel was formed to score Wade shows and Skerbeck Brothers Inc., which has had the contract for the past two years. “Wade Shows was scored the highest by each independent reviewer, “ said LaJoy, “and we recommend they be offered the contract.”
“This is one of the great ways for us to generate revenue at Liberty Fest,” said Treasurer McLaughlin of the attractions.
Topping the budget was a $73, 480 approval of funds for the township’s IT division. The township will purchase two servers for disaster recovery. “One of the units will be sitting in the library and we will be backing up our system on a daily basis,” said Trustee Anthony. The other will be housed in the Administration Building serving a similar purpose, each acting as a fail-safe for the other.
The Board also granted an additional amount close to $31,000 for the Water Main Replacement and Rehabilitation Program. “Additional costs are mostly for concrete, sod, and other expenses that were difficult to asses with the original estimates,” Director LaJoy explained. “These additional funds still put us below the $500,000 budget we voted on last year,” he added.
Two decisions were made involving environmental waste and energy consumption as well. The township will purchase two solar-powered traffic control arrow boards from a Canton company by the name of Poco Traffic Control Specialists. “It’s nice to see the bid go to a local candidate vender,” said Trustee Anthony. The budget for the two boards, which will replace outdated, diesel run boards, is just under $8,000.
The township will also be purchasing eight self dumping hoppers for the purposes of separating and storing waste material in an effort to make more money selling the scrap. The budget for these hoppers is $6,900.
All issues were decided by unanimous vote with trustee Caccamo absent. The next meeting of the Canton Township Board of Trustees is scheduled for Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 7pm in the Administration Building. For more information visit http://www.canton-mi.gov.
Among the topics discussed was the confirmation of the 8th annual Liberty Festival Parade that is scheduled from 9am-11am on Saturday, June 19, 2010. The board approved the temporary closing of Ford Rd. during these hours along a stretch from Canton Center to Lilley roads. The request came from the Michigan Department of Transportation and was granted via unanimous decision.
Wade Shows has been selected on the basis of a one year contract to provide carnival rides and attractions which have been a part of the weekend long festival since 2007. According to Supervisor LaJoy, a five person panel was formed to score Wade shows and Skerbeck Brothers Inc., which has had the contract for the past two years. “Wade Shows was scored the highest by each independent reviewer, “ said LaJoy, “and we recommend they be offered the contract.”
“This is one of the great ways for us to generate revenue at Liberty Fest,” said Treasurer McLaughlin of the attractions.
Topping the budget was a $73, 480 approval of funds for the township’s IT division. The township will purchase two servers for disaster recovery. “One of the units will be sitting in the library and we will be backing up our system on a daily basis,” said Trustee Anthony. The other will be housed in the Administration Building serving a similar purpose, each acting as a fail-safe for the other.
The Board also granted an additional amount close to $31,000 for the Water Main Replacement and Rehabilitation Program. “Additional costs are mostly for concrete, sod, and other expenses that were difficult to asses with the original estimates,” Director LaJoy explained. “These additional funds still put us below the $500,000 budget we voted on last year,” he added.
Two decisions were made involving environmental waste and energy consumption as well. The township will purchase two solar-powered traffic control arrow boards from a Canton company by the name of Poco Traffic Control Specialists. “It’s nice to see the bid go to a local candidate vender,” said Trustee Anthony. The budget for the two boards, which will replace outdated, diesel run boards, is just under $8,000.
The township will also be purchasing eight self dumping hoppers for the purposes of separating and storing waste material in an effort to make more money selling the scrap. The budget for these hoppers is $6,900.
All issues were decided by unanimous vote with trustee Caccamo absent. The next meeting of the Canton Township Board of Trustees is scheduled for Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 7pm in the Administration Building. For more information visit http://www.canton-mi.gov.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Society's Watchdog
Journalists often describe our collective community as the watchdog of society. We like to think we’re doing some good in the world in spite of the fact that we don’t always make a lot of money and we piss people off with incredible frequency. Often times we are. Sometimes we’re not.
I have a dog most would regard as a watchdog. She’s big; about 120 pounds and every bit as tall as I am when standing on her hind legs. When a stranger comes to the door, Gabby shakes the walls with her bark and immediately positions herself between the people in the house, which she knows and loves, and the person or people on the outside, of whom she is unconditionally skeptical.
While I am glad to have the protection of an animal that is, without question, willing and able to tear an individual apart in order to protect myself, and more importantly my fiancée, there is an inherent problem with the situation described above. To this point in my life, none of the individuals who have ringed my doorbell of knocked on my door did so with any intention of causing myself, my family, or my property any harm. Although things have happened to others; break-ins, rapes, murders, etc., causing me to remain cautious, it would be grossly inappropriate for me to assume that every time someone comes calling for my fiancée or myself they are trying to harm us in some manner.
As I near graduation in my chosen discipline and look forward to a magical piece of paper hanging on my wall I am growing ever skeptical of my classmates and soon to be peers. The last Journalism course I will ever take at EMU is Advanced Reporting; a professor’s last chance to force us into some real world experience before we depend on it for a living. The term or, “enterprise,” assignment for the course is to come up with an underlying issue and investigate to its end. Gathering the insights of experts and average Joes alike we are expected to offer a solution to the problem by the end of the course and present it to the class and, ideally, for publication.
As we struggled for topics one student decided to share a story she had been working on since September of last year. Her topic was sex offenders on campus. Through public records and internet searches she was able to find the name and profession of a janitor on campus whom, years earlier, was convicted of raping his wife. She began the cat and mouse game of interviewing the people responsible for hiring and keeping the man on board after his convictions. Over time the search led her to interview the man himself and get a lot of information on the subject.
The student then shared that she received an email this morning to inform her that the man’s employment with the university had been terminated. My professor told us that the university would never admit the fact that the investigation had something to do with the firing, but more likely than not, it did. Don’t worry about the fact that the man hasn’t done anything sexually offensive in years. Ignore the fact that he had moved on with his life and was gainfully employed and contributing to society. Don’t give any mind to the fact the this man was working after hours in a facility with locked doors where no one even had access to fall victim to his cruel intention. The student stated that she wasn’t sure how to feel about the guy losing his job. How about bad?This is when I started to wonder if maybe I’m one of the bad guys.
Rape is a terrible crime. It ranks highly on everyone’s list of blood boilers. While I am no exception, I did think we were a society based on second chances. Whatever his sentence, the individual in question had clearly “paid his debt to society” as we like to phrase it when we’re rooting for the convicted felon. What bothers me the most is that a day earlier, another journalist, with a different set of motives could’ve published a moving feature story on a convicted felon who had moved on with his life and changed his role from violent criminal into productive and meaningful serviceman.
The journalist may have been barking at a door with a trusted friend, whose loyalty had been proven, standing on the other side. On the other hand, what kind of grade would she have earned if she returned to the professor and said, “Nothing wrong here, no danger for students on this campus?” I don’t blame the professor, either; the problem runs much deeper. I feel the assignment is a realistic one perfectly in line with professional expectations. A newspaper editor would find just as much disinterest in a positive version of the story.
Sometimes the wind blows hard enough to make the door squeak and pop in unusual ways. My dog barks uncontrollably because she is incapable of distinguishing a real threat from one that doesn’t exist at all. She is so intent on protecting her family that false alarms are inevitable. I can give her a command forcing her to submit and realize the lack of danger in the given situation. I thank her for being aware of her surroundings and everything going on around her and move on. The world refuses to do so.
Negativity draws attention. If the dog believed in harmony and coexistence she would never be worried at all. We find ourselves in an identical situation. Our skepticism leans towards paranoia in a society that trusts itself less with each sunrise. We know in our hearts that bad things will eventually happen. This fact leads us to assume that they will right now.
I will never get rid of my dog. There’s too much at stake to be unprepared and ignorant of my surroundings. I keep her with a calculated risk, however. There’s always the outside chance that the watchdog, best intentions in tow, can strike an individual who is only passing by. If she were to do she would be deemed unfit for society and killed; a fate I hope the news media and the journalists who control them are smart enough to avoid.
I have a dog most would regard as a watchdog. She’s big; about 120 pounds and every bit as tall as I am when standing on her hind legs. When a stranger comes to the door, Gabby shakes the walls with her bark and immediately positions herself between the people in the house, which she knows and loves, and the person or people on the outside, of whom she is unconditionally skeptical.
While I am glad to have the protection of an animal that is, without question, willing and able to tear an individual apart in order to protect myself, and more importantly my fiancée, there is an inherent problem with the situation described above. To this point in my life, none of the individuals who have ringed my doorbell of knocked on my door did so with any intention of causing myself, my family, or my property any harm. Although things have happened to others; break-ins, rapes, murders, etc., causing me to remain cautious, it would be grossly inappropriate for me to assume that every time someone comes calling for my fiancée or myself they are trying to harm us in some manner.
As I near graduation in my chosen discipline and look forward to a magical piece of paper hanging on my wall I am growing ever skeptical of my classmates and soon to be peers. The last Journalism course I will ever take at EMU is Advanced Reporting; a professor’s last chance to force us into some real world experience before we depend on it for a living. The term or, “enterprise,” assignment for the course is to come up with an underlying issue and investigate to its end. Gathering the insights of experts and average Joes alike we are expected to offer a solution to the problem by the end of the course and present it to the class and, ideally, for publication.
As we struggled for topics one student decided to share a story she had been working on since September of last year. Her topic was sex offenders on campus. Through public records and internet searches she was able to find the name and profession of a janitor on campus whom, years earlier, was convicted of raping his wife. She began the cat and mouse game of interviewing the people responsible for hiring and keeping the man on board after his convictions. Over time the search led her to interview the man himself and get a lot of information on the subject.
The student then shared that she received an email this morning to inform her that the man’s employment with the university had been terminated. My professor told us that the university would never admit the fact that the investigation had something to do with the firing, but more likely than not, it did. Don’t worry about the fact that the man hasn’t done anything sexually offensive in years. Ignore the fact that he had moved on with his life and was gainfully employed and contributing to society. Don’t give any mind to the fact the this man was working after hours in a facility with locked doors where no one even had access to fall victim to his cruel intention. The student stated that she wasn’t sure how to feel about the guy losing his job. How about bad?This is when I started to wonder if maybe I’m one of the bad guys.
Rape is a terrible crime. It ranks highly on everyone’s list of blood boilers. While I am no exception, I did think we were a society based on second chances. Whatever his sentence, the individual in question had clearly “paid his debt to society” as we like to phrase it when we’re rooting for the convicted felon. What bothers me the most is that a day earlier, another journalist, with a different set of motives could’ve published a moving feature story on a convicted felon who had moved on with his life and changed his role from violent criminal into productive and meaningful serviceman.
The journalist may have been barking at a door with a trusted friend, whose loyalty had been proven, standing on the other side. On the other hand, what kind of grade would she have earned if she returned to the professor and said, “Nothing wrong here, no danger for students on this campus?” I don’t blame the professor, either; the problem runs much deeper. I feel the assignment is a realistic one perfectly in line with professional expectations. A newspaper editor would find just as much disinterest in a positive version of the story.
Sometimes the wind blows hard enough to make the door squeak and pop in unusual ways. My dog barks uncontrollably because she is incapable of distinguishing a real threat from one that doesn’t exist at all. She is so intent on protecting her family that false alarms are inevitable. I can give her a command forcing her to submit and realize the lack of danger in the given situation. I thank her for being aware of her surroundings and everything going on around her and move on. The world refuses to do so.
Negativity draws attention. If the dog believed in harmony and coexistence she would never be worried at all. We find ourselves in an identical situation. Our skepticism leans towards paranoia in a society that trusts itself less with each sunrise. We know in our hearts that bad things will eventually happen. This fact leads us to assume that they will right now.
I will never get rid of my dog. There’s too much at stake to be unprepared and ignorant of my surroundings. I keep her with a calculated risk, however. There’s always the outside chance that the watchdog, best intentions in tow, can strike an individual who is only passing by. If she were to do she would be deemed unfit for society and killed; a fate I hope the news media and the journalists who control them are smart enough to avoid.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
This I believe About Digital Journalism
This I believe: That for better or worse, digital journalism is the future of news and broadcast media. Throughout the course readings and my consequent blog responses to each of them, I have tried to continue with a sense of truth and justice in the future of journalism. I find it important to keep these principles that we’ve spent hundreds of years working towards in the forefront of what we intend to do in the future.
The best example of a future I can subscribe to comes from Leonard Downie, Jr., and Michael Schudson who provide grounds for the most detailed and inclusive conversation about the future of journalism I've ever come across in their The Reconstruction of American Journalism report. They take and honest, in-depth look at what changes have already happened, what trends show may be coming next, and what the conclusion of the transformation may look like.
On the other end of this Brent Cunningham is a narrow minded individual and discouraging individual when giving his insights on the future of journalism. Hopefully my saying this will automatically sway public opinion to agree with me. I am, after all, a journalist, and according to Cunningham in his How journalism can regain its relevance piece, journalism has "more important" roles than "emitting an endless stream of incremental developments and story frames."
By definition, Brent, journalism is, "writing characterized by a direct representation of facts or description of events without an attempt at interpretation. That is one version of the Merriam-Webster definition. Note the phrase created by the words I chose to emphasize, "direct facts without interpretation." That is what journalism is supposed to be; the principle of objectivity that each of us learned in our first semester of dedicated study.
Lastly, I believe that Dr. Tracy’s Evolution of the Newspaper of the Future is ringing true already. We can see her principles of community interaction involvement playing out in AnnArbor.com’s Your Voice" section on every page that provides the method of correspondance Dr. Tracy describes as "ongoing communication."
I believe that digital is the future of everything. I also believe that no matter what I, or the individuals I’ve sighted believe, the future of journalism is going to be determined by the free market system that has brought the newspaper industry to its knees in the past five years. I believe that people will never stop wanting to read their news and they will never stop looking for more interesting or interactive ways to get it.
The best example of a future I can subscribe to comes from Leonard Downie, Jr., and Michael Schudson who provide grounds for the most detailed and inclusive conversation about the future of journalism I've ever come across in their The Reconstruction of American Journalism report. They take and honest, in-depth look at what changes have already happened, what trends show may be coming next, and what the conclusion of the transformation may look like.
On the other end of this Brent Cunningham is a narrow minded individual and discouraging individual when giving his insights on the future of journalism. Hopefully my saying this will automatically sway public opinion to agree with me. I am, after all, a journalist, and according to Cunningham in his How journalism can regain its relevance piece, journalism has "more important" roles than "emitting an endless stream of incremental developments and story frames."
By definition, Brent, journalism is, "writing characterized by a direct representation of facts or description of events without an attempt at interpretation. That is one version of the Merriam-Webster definition. Note the phrase created by the words I chose to emphasize, "direct facts without interpretation." That is what journalism is supposed to be; the principle of objectivity that each of us learned in our first semester of dedicated study.
Lastly, I believe that Dr. Tracy’s Evolution of the Newspaper of the Future is ringing true already. We can see her principles of community interaction involvement playing out in AnnArbor.com’s Your Voice" section on every page that provides the method of correspondance Dr. Tracy describes as "ongoing communication."
I believe that digital is the future of everything. I also believe that no matter what I, or the individuals I’ve sighted believe, the future of journalism is going to be determined by the free market system that has brought the newspaper industry to its knees in the past five years. I believe that people will never stop wanting to read their news and they will never stop looking for more interesting or interactive ways to get it.
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