“15 Minutes of Fame” Isn’t Worth Compromise
Posted on | February 15, 2010 | No Comments
By Geveryl Robinson
February 15, 2010
In 2007, one of my students, John Weldon, was murdered. I was an English instructor at Savannah Technical College, and John, who grew up in one of the worst housing projects in Savannah, was the first person in his family to attend college. The last time I saw John, I remember telling him that I was proud of him, and that I knew he would do great things in the world.
Six weeks later, he was dead.
After speaking at John’s funeral, I went back to school to teach a late afternoon class. My students listened to me rant and rave about the downfall of the youth in the black community for a while before one of them spoke up, echoing what the others had apparently been thinking: “Ms. Robinson, you always tell us that the pen is mightier than the sword, so why don’t you just write about what happened to John?”
So, I did.
I wrote what I thought would be a simple “letter to the editor” and sent it to the Savannah Morning News. To my surprise, the Editorial Page editor called me at work and asked if he could run my “letter” as a feature column. I agreed and the rest, as they say, is history.
The column titled “Black community must define “a real man,’ “ was featured in the May 15, 2007, edition of the paper. The next day, I was offered the opportunity to write an Op/Ed column once a week. Apparently, the public reaction to my column was so intense that members of the community began calling the paper and requesting more of my writings. One man called me at work and told me that, after reading the article, he went to Kinko’s, printed 300 copies of the article, and distributed it to every black man he saw.
Although I have a master’s degree in Creative Writing (M.F.A.), never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that almost three years later, I would still be writing my column every Sunday in addition to my full-time position as a college professor. I am well aware that I am fortunate to have this opportunity. We cannot take anything for granted in these troubled economic times. Nor can we sell out for fear of losing our jobs, or never becoming nationally recognized. It’s not worth it. I know, because I came close to doing it – or something like it.
Recently, the producer of a nationally syndicated news program approached me to appear on the show. The producer had seen an article I’d written about why I left my designated political party to become a registered Independent. He thought my point of view would be perfect for the show.
Then it became apparent that they were looking for someone who was mad at President Obama – and they hoped to run a pre-recorded segment with me in the time slot leading up to the State of the Union address. But I’m not mad at Obama. To get on television and say so would be hypocritical. It would be a sellout. No journalist should be that desperate. I declined the offer. I stood up for my journalistic principles, and I reminded myself why I got into writing in the first place.
I began writing for the same reason I began teaching – to make a difference. When I wrote the first letter to the Savannah Morning News, I wasn’t looking for national exposure. I wasn’t looking for fortune or fame. I was just expressing my anger and grief over the murder of a young man who was trying to be a role model for his younger brothers and sisters.
Many journalists, especially the displaced, might jump at the chance to express their views in a national forum, regardless of the circumstances. And, no doubt, there are those who enter the profession seeking to see their names in lights, or at least in The New York Times. However, I think most journalists enter the field because they, like I, truly believe that the pen is mightier than the sword, and, through their words, they can indeed make a difference, no matter how big or how small.
Appearing in the role that television producer expected me to perform wasn’t and isn’t one I would choose as my introduction to an important national debate. Our country is already more divided than I can remember in my lifetime, and I want no part of making the chasm wider or deeper. Although the producer seemed like a nice enough fellow, I wonder if somewhere in the back of his mind he thought that, because I am not well-known, I would compromise just for the chance to appear on television.
When I mentioned all this to a fellow journalist, she made a point that I think applies to all of us: “The people, who are still employed, like that producer, are often lacking in the principles of journalism we hold dear.” She added: “Journalists shouldn’t compromise their principles, even though we often do feel desperate, as though we won’t ever work or be valued again.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Maybe one day, I will decide to appear on television to discuss my opinions about one of the many issues we face in our society; then again, maybe not. Quite frankly, I’d much rather remain in the shadows and write columns that might affect readers for a lifetime then settle for 15 minutes of fame.
Geveryl Robinson is an adjunct English professor at Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tenn., and continues to write her Op-Ed column for the Savannah Morning News every Sunday.
Tags: Commentary > Displaced Journalists > Ethics > newspaper > Professor > Reinvent > Writing
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