My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by yesterday’s horrific shootings at Fort Hood. I found out yesterday afternoon, while abroad in London, and have actively been following the story ever since. I saw it go to national and worldwide coverage.
Being in England and finding this story break, I was shocked and felt so far away from where it was taking place. I called my mom and she turned on the news, I was listening to the local Dallas coverage of the event, and was able to connect with someone closest to the situation. I was also able to talk to some of my old colleagues at the Temple Daily Telegram newspaper, though the wonderful power of social networking- Facebook. This has given me a forum to talk to those who understand working in the media.
Working for the TDT was the best work experience I have had, the best exposure and education I have had in the field, thus far. Being a journalist has allowed me to become a better version of myself, perhaps a version thatI hadn’t known existed or was suppressed. Suddenly, I have an obligation and a duty to the community- to get the best image- to do whatever it takes to get it. I get to be inquisitive, get the answers that are needed. It allows me to find out things I wouldn’t normally ask or do on my own. Even day-to-day assignments, I’ve found that it has given me the best excuse to ask. It is my job. Perhaps it has collided the best of both worlds. It has forced me to come out of my shell and allowed me to help the community, whether it is just being there, giving them a voice through images or just speaking to someone on an assignment. There have been countless times that my heart has been touched, and I hope that I am able to do the same for them, from my being or images.
This summer, I stepped out from working for a newspaper, and interned for a magazine. The day that the Michael Jackson story broke of his failing health, there was buzz all over the internet. The office was so quiet. If it had been a newsroom, it would have been chaos. Wonderful chaos. As crazy as it might sound, I miss it. I love it. I want to be involved and feel so grounded and helpless from here. Events like these, remind me I love working for news outlets and want to return. It’s where my heart is.
I saw local papers today with coverage of the story on the front. This is worldwide news. It isn’t a local story, a local connection or tie. It’s worldwide. I cannot believe it. I feel so helpless being here in London. I desperately want to cover the story- to be back in Temple and Fort Hood, as I have done countless times. To be covering Scott and White Hospital, where many of the soldiers have been taken, where community members selfishly showed up to donate blood for the victims.
I’m always fascinated by what publications run of breaking news. Here are a few copies of today’s front pages.
- The Temple Daily Telegram, where I used to work
- The Killeen Daily Herald, TDT’s sister paper, which is based in Killeen, near Fort Hood
- The Dallas Morning News
- Austin American-Statesman
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- Temple Daily Telegram
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- Killeen Daily Herald
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- Dallas Morning News
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- Austin American-Statesmsn
Nice post Allison. Quite a day yesterday. And your paragraph on wanting to return to journalism was very heartfelt. Again, I’m experiencing the same thing. As crazy as the Telegram was, it really was a great experience.