I got a call from my girl Kenya tonight and it is always a pleasure to speak with her. You know the one who lives in Brooklyn, going after her fashion design career. Well, we got to talking about so many different things one of them being perspective.
As a journalist I realize that almost everyone is critical of the media. They say we like to sensationalize and only show one point of view. Well, I’m sorry to tell you but that is our job. We paint the picture of events according to our own PERSPECTIVE, how we felt, how we saw it and that’s all you can expect from us.
Yes, there are those big wigs out there who control the money and can decide what information the public needs to know based on their own agendas, but for the most part all we’re doing is telling you a story based on what we experienced and everything should always be taken with a grain of salt.
Even on my weblog, I tell a story or give my take on things. It’s MY OPINION. It’s not necessarily fact or written in stone. My emotions may sometimes cloud what actually happened and push me to insert more of my heartache or joy or whatever.
Even as I was doing research I was getting pretty excited because I was taking my findings as truth. But just like I have my space on the internet, any fool can have theirs too. So just because someone posts something on the net or you read about it in the paper doesnt mean it should be taken to heart. You have to step back and recognize that the writer is human and is fallible.
Kenya gave an example of something as simple as Penicillin. For some Penicillin may be the thing to change their life. For another who has an allergy it could be death to them. Just because I can’t take it doesn’t mean you shouldnt. You have to figure out the truth for yourself.
Most people only tell you what they want you to know. I try to be more transparent and allow you to see what’s really in my heart, but at any given moment I can decide that I want you to see me in a certain way and I have the skills necessary to make it happen. You don’t know exactly what’s going on in my head unless I tell you and even then I can choose not to tell the whole story.
I’m not telling you not to trust me or the media because there are writers out there who make it a point to be as factual and accurate as they can. Just understand that just like you may have a motive behind your actions or words, most people do too.
Never take someone’s opinion as the word of the Lord. Never try to force yourself to conform to what others believe to be true. Seek the truth for yourself and do what I do when I read; I enjoy the writing for the pure art of it.
I always say, it doesnt matter what you say, it’s how you say it. An effective communicator grabs people’s attention and holds it long enough to plant some seed. Whether they are saying anything worth listening to is besides the point. Even though entertainers like Eminem are projecting a worthless message, I have to give the man props for being talented enough to get people to listen. Take that same talent and drive and arm Him with the word of the Lord and just imagine what he can do for God’s kingdom.
And if you are a writer out there I challenge you tonight. I challenge you to take control over your gift and give the people the truth according to how you saw it and to uplift, not degrade or manipulate your readers. When you write you should want readers to come away from your piece, informed and thoughtful.
We inform. You decide.