As the end of my matric year came looming discussions arose regarding what we would be doing in our futures. Being a part of an extremely academic class the majority of the responses were doctors, lawyers and engineers. My chirp about going to Rhodes to become a journalist was generally met with the replies of: "Oh, you mean to become a drunken drop-out..."
While no Rhodes 'journ' student will deny the pleasure of a little drink after a busy week, I think we possess much more potential than the title of "drunken drop-outs". As Tom Stoppard said:
"Words are sacred.
They deserve respect.
If you get the right ones,
in the right order
you can nudge the world a little."
I believe as journalism and media studies students at Rhodes University we are handed the tools with a "how to" manual that says: "this is how it has been done, take what you like, and go do it your way".
I think this is probably the most valuable skill one can ever be given. While doctors and engineers can change the world, how could that world exist without the media? I believe that the world would be a dark, isolated, meaningless place if it were not for the media. Without journalism nothing would be given exposure. Atrocities could be committed and they would slip by unnoticed.
A defining moment for journalism, in my opinion, was the Vietnam War. While massacres were being committed on Vietnamese soils the American public sat at home, blissfully unaware. It was because of journalists like Walter Cronkite that the truth was broadcast into the family rooms of the American civilisation. Had it not been for journalism efforts to end this futile war would have had no impetus.
While in the context of our lives we are not fighting wars, journalism is just as important in revealing the ugliness of our modern day reality. I feel that as journalism students we should take the skills we have gained and our bursting passion and make a start at doing our part to make change. Is it necessary to have a certificate on your wall to help someone or fight a cause?
I believe not.
As journalism students we are encouraged to expose ourselves to the happenings of the world. Owing to this we are informed, enthusiastic, dynamic individuals. On top of this, we are the youth, the upcoming generation which makes our opinions unbelievably important. It is thus up to us to get involved, to make our voices heard and to have our message broadcast.
Our new blog site has given us an opportunity to do so. Through this blog I hope not only to entertain and enjoy the light-hearted experiences of a first year journalism student at Rhodes University, but also to grapple with the more serious issues that lurk on campus. Many of these issues are more widespread and thus need to be uncovered.
So, to my fellow "drunken drop-outs" this is our starting block. While others will study another seven years to start making their mark, our time is now.
September 28, 2009 at 2:15 PM �
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September 28, 2009 at 2:16 PM �
Lovely post candy. enjoy the blog. Write and drink to the satisfaction of your journalistic heart.