A Tough Job But Someone Has To Do It
Memorial services and funerals are not a reporter's favorite assignment. In a hundred years on the job, I have had more than my share.
The most recent one was Tuesday night in Pine Mountain. The memorial was for Jamie Bishop, a bright kid from Harris County who ended up dead in the German class he was teaching at Virginia Tech. He was one of 32.
Parking near the church in Pine Mountain, I remembered one of the things I like least about such moments. Taking up some of the choice parking places at First Methodist were a horde of live TV trucks from Columbus and Atlanta. Local people, some of them elderly, had to park and walk to their own church. Rude cameramen and reporters blocked the sidewalk and the street trying to grab people for interviews. A cadre of news people set up camp across the street from the church, waiting to be fed.
I did what I always do. I took off my press badge and pretended I didn't know any of the reporters. That wasn't a ploy. At that moment, I wish I hadn't known them. I went inside. I sang along on "Amazing Grace" and was reverent when they prayed. I listened to the minister make light of the reporters outside. I didn't have to make an ass of myself to do my job.
I could be a real person. Because I am.
3 comments:
Bless you for being that rare caring reporter.
Hyatt,
I wish that my job didn't require me to get in the face of those in pain. I wish I didn't have to photograph the ripples of any tragedy, let alone the tragedy itself.
I despise this part of my job, in fact I down right feel dirty shooting it. If I could do it again I would have taken off the press pass, put away the camera and prayed and listened.
But I guess it makes sense now, the reason why I couldn't find you that day. And hey, good, good for you for being a real person.
And thanks for the lesson, you're awesome man.
It has made me feel dirty too. I just think we can do what we're supposed to do without making a nuisance of ourself. Granted, that is easier for those of us who carry pens and paper instead of cameras.
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