NOLA, Education, and Journalism

By Jill Ensley

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

I was waiting for the right time to write this, somewhere between very little sleep and massive doses of caffeine, but that perfect storm may not make landfall until tomorrow evening.

Speaking of storms, Sunday morning I'll be heading down to New Orleans again, to volunteer and finish an art-related project. I'll only be there a week again, but hope to make it meaningful. I'll be blogging daily.

That said, if anyone would like to donate money or items, there is some extra room in the car. Myself, and two others, will be volunteering with Common Ground again, which has since relocated from the flooded school building in the 9th Ward, to a refurbished house in the Lower 9th. The wishlist is located here. If you can, please contact me through email if you have it, and the contact page on l.com if you don't. I'd like to have everything in the car by Saturday evening.

Recently, a friend loaned me a book I'd simply glossed over in the past. Tom Piazza's Why New Orleans Matters. I guess in my self-righteousness, in my anger and indignation, I'd wanted answers and reasons and to shake people into caring. I'd seen this book while working at Borders and passed it by simply because it seemed a simple love story, a short, wistful lullaby from an adopted son of New Orleans. But it's not, it's much more than that. And I urge you to read it. There are other reasons why New Orleans matters, deeper, base reasons, but I'm only halfway through with it, so I'm hoping those get touched upon. Either way, good writing and a good start.

Also of note, as of Tuesday, this guy has filed to fun for the school board. You may recognize his work, since one of his pieces (which formerly resided in the library) is now at the corner of 7th and Massachusetts, near the Eldridge. Frankly, I think that piece is fine, since the meaning is rather ambiguous. I'm sure Mr. Detrich doesn't think so, but most of his art could be taken a few different ways. Good for art, bad for education, methinks. I doubt his opinions on evolution will be so ambiguous should he actually get a seat on the state school board. My favorite part of that website are the Musings. Someday, I hope to be a certified Malarki-ologist.

I've been thinking, and starting a discussion with people lately, about the nature of news, local news and coverage of world events. It seems to me that they teach you in journalism school that in order for the public to take an interest, there needs to be a local connection. Topeka news is the worst, all out ignoring important global events. But I've noticed it in Lawrence outlets as well. What do you think? Is this true? Or are we simply creating a public that is further isolated from not only global crises and issues, but from national and state issues. Which comes first, the media or the masses? Is is just a giant circular tube (similar to the internets). I suppose local papers should cover local news, but how much world news is not enough? I realize there are other outlets for national and international issues, but I think I'd be willing to give up a pet post for another story about people and events outside our city and state borders. And now I feel a little like Andy Rooney, so I need to go take a shower.

But first, there's at least a couple art events you should check out this Friday, one being Gotfred Beardshear's opening at The Percolator and the other being the Video Show at the Arts Center. And while you're at the Percolator, make sure and make your own Fundred.

Forgive my lack of meaty or unruly content and the copious amount of linkage. You'll get something better next week, kiddies. Promise.

Lawrence.com blogs are collections of short, frequently updated posts by members of the Lawrence community. Blog writers, and comment posters, are solely responsible for what they say. (Please take the time to read our full policy.)

If you're interested in writing a blog on lawrence.com, send us a couple of sample entries.

Comments

lawrence.com does not necessarily agree with comments posted below - responsibility lies with the relevant user alone. Read our full policy

Posted by DOTDOT (anonymous) on June 12, 2008 at 9:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Someday, I hope to be a certified Malarki-ologist."

Huh.

I thought you already were.

Posted by smerdyakov (anonymous) on June 18, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

>
I've been thinking, and starting a discussion with people lately, about the nature of news, local news and coverage of world events.
<

I could go for that.

NOLA, Education, and Journalism

Comments

Post a comment