By: Wazi Kunene
A journalism based blog claiming not to be. It’s not a revolution or a rebirth of the journalism but first year journalism students at Rhodes University allow the reader to interpret what the text says and decide what their blog communicates. From the blog title ‘I know what you wrote last semester’ Jennifer, Klub Troskie, The Gnome and Jonny, they prove to reveal a new style of writing then what is usually identified in other blogs.
The creativity and appearance of the blog welcomes you to a world of uncertainty of what it resembles. The sarcastic and highly opinionated blog features breaking news, Politics and humour; in a passive freestyle approach, truly using the opportunity of a space with no boundaries. There is nothing better than having to be a follower of a blog which is flexible with dynamic features, finally viewing Journalism at its most vulnerable nakedness; Issues are scrutinised to engage with the readers.
Truth is the cement and face of the blog while criticism is its identity. It opens a liberating space discriminating fear; they have covered stories such as Racism, Retribution and Forgiveness.(http://iknowwhatyouwrotelastsemester.blogspot.com/2009/10/racism-retribution-and-forgiveness.htmls). Animals Rights;
(http://iknowwhatyouwrotelastsemester.blogspot.com/2009/10/animal-rights-our-consistent.html) and many others that could get you talking.
Unlike newspapers, the voice of the writer is not hidden and by that we get a taste of not just ‘facts’ and ‘assumptions’ of what the reader wants to know, but the raw thoughts of the writers themselves. It’s no longer just words on the screen but words that speak louder than chaos in news.
http://www.iknowwhatyouwrotelastsemester.blogspot.com/
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Out of the closets and into the streets
During this past weekend, I had remained silent for an entire hour while being amongst people in the open. It was not particularly hard to do, however, I do not find it to be worthy of writing about seeing as, although, it had been something that I have never done before, it did not offer anything exciting to write about. Journalism does include the writing of mundane things and things that journalists might not feel passionate about, but when thinking about it, I realised that I would love to write something deep, meaningful and something that I do feel passionate about and would like to share that experience.
I am currently in my first year of studying at a tertiary level and during the societies evening that was held during the beginning of the year, I stopped at the OUTRhodes table, listened to what they had to say and I signed up. I can remember the feeling of signing up – it was an exhilarated and liberated feeling. The feeling one gets when one is proud of something they have done, perhaps I felt that I was being brave or it might have been the feeling of being able to breath of being apart of something, strangely signing up resulted in a sort of feeling. It is obvious that homophobia does occur on campus especially noted when the society has an event seeing as the posters get ripped off of the walls by fellow students and sometimes in passing one can hear conversations between fellow students pertaining their animosity towards LGBTI students.
In the beginning of the second term OUTRhodes members were able to attend The Pink Loerie festival in Knysna. I had heard of Pink Loerie festival and I had always wanted to go. The festival happens every year, usually during a long weekend and it is an LGBTI pride weekend. I signed up, paid the fee and I became strangely excited about my big gay weekend. One of my friends, who is gay, decided to go with me and together we counted down the days, anticipating that weekend. The Pink Loerie festival had been my first pride festival, in a metaphorical sense, I broke my pride festival virginity, and I now know that it was my first, but definitely not my last pride festival.
I met my friend, bags in hand, at the transport department and we were met with fellow members. During our first five minutes on the bus, we met two our now best friends, one of which, now happens to be my girlfriend – incidentally we started dating during this past weekend, so could I say that I started my first relationship during my college career?
The weekend was filled with different events that included, the Mr and Ms Mardi Grass competition. We had three members partaking in these two events. There was the pride march through Knysna. The pride march after party and several parties that happened during the weekend at Girlz Planet and Zanzibar. It also included several other events such as tattoo art and art exhibitions and so forth. It was the first time that I was able to be free, to talk about issues surrounding sexuality, of my own feelings during the weekend without worrying what people would do or say because no one would react badly during that weekend. I am lesbian and I loved the fact that I was able to say, “wow, that girl is so hot” and to have other women agree or have them themselves talk about other women. I was able to be myself, in public, for the first time in my life and I will never forget the feeling. I had established wonderful friendships during that weekend and enjoyed wonderful evenings out (literally and figuratively). There is no greater feeling than having a weight lifted from your shoulders and that is exactly how I felt, there was no need to bottle any emotions up within yourself. After that weekend I had a new found courage and I was able to be more open about my sexuality on campus. I do think that having that experience for the first time had enabled me to feel that I was apart of something bigger than myself, but more importantly, that I was not alone and that I should not be ashamed of being who I am. One thing is for sure, I am ready to have my second Pink Loerie experience.
I am currently in my first year of studying at a tertiary level and during the societies evening that was held during the beginning of the year, I stopped at the OUTRhodes table, listened to what they had to say and I signed up. I can remember the feeling of signing up – it was an exhilarated and liberated feeling. The feeling one gets when one is proud of something they have done, perhaps I felt that I was being brave or it might have been the feeling of being able to breath of being apart of something, strangely signing up resulted in a sort of feeling. It is obvious that homophobia does occur on campus especially noted when the society has an event seeing as the posters get ripped off of the walls by fellow students and sometimes in passing one can hear conversations between fellow students pertaining their animosity towards LGBTI students.
In the beginning of the second term OUTRhodes members were able to attend The Pink Loerie festival in Knysna. I had heard of Pink Loerie festival and I had always wanted to go. The festival happens every year, usually during a long weekend and it is an LGBTI pride weekend. I signed up, paid the fee and I became strangely excited about my big gay weekend. One of my friends, who is gay, decided to go with me and together we counted down the days, anticipating that weekend. The Pink Loerie festival had been my first pride festival, in a metaphorical sense, I broke my pride festival virginity, and I now know that it was my first, but definitely not my last pride festival.
I met my friend, bags in hand, at the transport department and we were met with fellow members. During our first five minutes on the bus, we met two our now best friends, one of which, now happens to be my girlfriend – incidentally we started dating during this past weekend, so could I say that I started my first relationship during my college career?
The weekend was filled with different events that included, the Mr and Ms Mardi Grass competition. We had three members partaking in these two events. There was the pride march through Knysna. The pride march after party and several parties that happened during the weekend at Girlz Planet and Zanzibar. It also included several other events such as tattoo art and art exhibitions and so forth. It was the first time that I was able to be free, to talk about issues surrounding sexuality, of my own feelings during the weekend without worrying what people would do or say because no one would react badly during that weekend. I am lesbian and I loved the fact that I was able to say, “wow, that girl is so hot” and to have other women agree or have them themselves talk about other women. I was able to be myself, in public, for the first time in my life and I will never forget the feeling. I had established wonderful friendships during that weekend and enjoyed wonderful evenings out (literally and figuratively). There is no greater feeling than having a weight lifted from your shoulders and that is exactly how I felt, there was no need to bottle any emotions up within yourself. After that weekend I had a new found courage and I was able to be more open about my sexuality on campus. I do think that having that experience for the first time had enabled me to feel that I was apart of something bigger than myself, but more importantly, that I was not alone and that I should not be ashamed of being who I am. One thing is for sure, I am ready to have my second Pink Loerie experience.
Digesting that of 24
By: Lara van Zyl
The blog entitled “Digestthis24” chose a standard blogspot layout and although it is a conventional layout, it was effective as the writing was easy to read since the background colour had not been too dark. A number of formatting errors did arise – some of the words of were cut in half, making the reading of the text difficult, but there are exceptions, it would appear that it was one member of the group whom had been the culprit. The profile of this blog describes the blog and its members as, “5 journalism students on a quest to unravel investigative journalism...by looking at...the dark and mysterious places where conventional journalism doesn’t dare go”. “Digestthis24” presently has eighteen blog posts to boast about and the posts are both well written and enlightening. It is evident that this group takes journalism seriously and many of these posts are quite riveting. The lack of gadgets used is disappointing, though the use of gadgets within one’s blog is not a requirement, gadgets are able to make the blog more personal and the use of these gadgets enables journalists to use a wide range of media material to get their message across. It had been refreshing to find that not only did this group take a serious stance in their posts, but they also included links that were not broken. All-in-all I found that this had been a blog that is worthwhile and it made for an interesting read.
IAM A YOUNG JOURNO-HEAR ME R.O.A.R! by Camagwini Dolweni
A few weeks ago the Rhodes Organisation for Animal Rights had a protect animals right week and ended things off with a talk by established South African journalist, writer and motivational speaker, Patricia Glynn. Being a meat-eater and over for all my life, i was slightly suspicious about how the talk would be delivered( images of raging vegetarians name-calling meat eaters and angry protesters come to mind), but i was open to the idea of hearing such an established local journalist that i braved the sterreotypes clouding my mind and went. So one could argue that my primary reason for going was not for the protection of animlas rights(hey, don't judge!). And i was so inspired by the talk that was funny, sentimental and not once did she throw hateful looks at the meat-eaters, that i decided: "You know what i can be a vegetarian too! Its ridiculous what they do to animals and iam going to show my support in solidarity with the vegetarians". And so it began, i was going to stop eating something i had been eating most of the week for 20years. Easy, right? WRONG on sooo many levels! My hat goes off to vegetarians and vegans who have weaned themselves off meat. It is no small feat, i think for the black community meat is not a source of nutrients-its culture. When i told my mother she told me to stop trying to be white and "come to my senses, tsh!". Since when is meat a race thing?! Well at least i tried, even if it was just for a week.
Pink, fresh and diverse
Of the long list of JMS1 blogs i had to pick from for this assignment, i think i picked the most refreshing one yet. At first my strategy would be to pick the ones with the quirkiest names like http://thenumber42ispurple.blogspot.com/ (which i found very insightful, but not in the i-know-better-talking-down-to-you-manner) or really funny ones like http://http//flamingtesticles.blogspot.com/(need i say more?!). Instead i found myself falling in love with a very simple, truthful blog with no gimmicks, no tricks. Sound like the perfect guy, but http://www.g09take-it-from-us.blogspot.com/ is an all girl blog. This is a blog i found to be very diverse, but still very down to earth. Being written by girls it is not discriminatory to the other sex, as it also has posts about the current PSL matches and log standings. I think that the reader can expect alot of pink(yes, guys can do pink too!), but at the same time the topics covered can affect and interest all people in all shapes and forms. The writing is colloquial, to the point and refreshing. My only complaint is the number of spelling mistakes. Don' t get me wrong iam not finicky about such things at all and have been known to have had my fair share of blunders, but i do feel it is important to watch out for those types of things i f your are serious about your blog and it looking professional. All in all i loved it. Girl Power personified!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The Other Side of Me
By: Wazi Kunene
Most of us were bullied when we were young; I never helped when I saw children being beaten by other children. This time I undressed my inner selfishness and fought for a friend who could not heal the deep scare of abuse, basically I showed her how its done.
Before the demonstration of how you handle a bully I was nervous, in my mind I had the stereotypical view of what a bully looks like and I was ‘freaked’ out. But I decided no, I have got to do this, I am a trend setter, I am a warrior and no I’m not scared, no I am not!
So we got to the perpetrator and child thief. She was formally dressed which made this extra exciting, I was determined; I looked her in the eye and said “Is this you, the bad girl? She gave me the eye and that moment I knew that this girl was questioning my identity, she was literally asking me what’ve got. I was ready and willing to tell her. I was going to “wipe the floor with her behind” then as a journalist write the story, I could be on both sides of the story, this girl had no idea where I come from.
With all the emotions running around inside of me, I finally decided to finish the little conversation, I asked my partner in crime (whom we’ve had ups and down, but she always had my back), to help me and we did it. I fought for somebody else. I did not look away; I stood and prevented other forth coming self esteems to be crushed. I was responsible for somebody else’s life by accessing the other side of me. I can be MEAN!
Pic: Elizabeth Karamura
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Another coach bites the dust
By Lara van ZylBafana Bafana head coach Joel Santana’s days seem to be numbered after losing two friendly matches in Scandinavia. Santana was hired to lead Bafana Banafa to the 2010 World Cup final. “...I do not think I will be fired”, were the famous last words of Santana before the South African Football Association made a statement that Santana had shamed the nation. It pains me to see how yet another coach is getting the axe, surely the coach of a national team cannot be the only person to blame. I admit that, although, losing eight out of nine matches since June is shocking to say the least, one must remember that Bafana Bafana were not that great to begin with. Our national soccer team has hardly ever made it past the second round of the Soccer World Cup for heaven’s sake. If x is y then all South African coaches are bad and if z is x, then Santana is a South African coach, therefore he must be a bad coach, this is not the case. Coaches get fired as a ‘quick fix’ solution and no-one ever questions who else might be to blame. These coaches hardly ever get a chance to prove the nation wrong before getting drop kicked out of the stadiums, which happens frequently. We, as South Africans, need to give our national coaches the benefit of the doubt or at least a chance to take all criticism and for them to then turn it into something constructive.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
BLOGGING SCHMOGGING! by Camagwini Dolweni
So here's the deal, let me just put it out there: I don't take blogging as serious journalism. There's no pathos needed for that, its a fact. Finnish and klaar. I feel like this 'new media' journalism is watering down the fundamentals of pure journalism and it just not hot. The craft of journalism is to inform, entertain and be a social commentator of the world we are living in. It is not your personal diaryhttp://mushypeasontoast.blogspot.com/2006/03/worst-day-of-my-life.html or where you write about what you did 5 minutes ago (i.e Tweeter) or to be abused as a space for your own personal agenda. You want to push your agenda, talk to Noeleen or Oprah. New media journalists can claim that the print is becoming obsolete and with the changing times, it only inevitable for innovative ways of reporting to infiltrate. Granted. If you are actually reporting. How many South Africans have access to computers, let alone the Internet or how to even use it?? I take it not many, so as a result new media journalism is elitist journalism, that only the privileged majority have admittance to. If the news are for a small group of people, then what is the point? It is only going to circle the same crowd. How is that going to spark debates, fulfill the watchdog role or do any of the things it is really supposed to do other than be a plaything for the rich? The true quality of journalism has been trumped by the quantity of blogs, tweets, online papers and whatever else is bound to follow.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
BATTLE OF THE TONGUES
"MIND YOUR LANGUAGE" says Nzimande
In order to adhere to government regulations, the University of Stellenbosch has introduced more courses taught in both English and Afrikaans, as opposed to the single medium of instruction being Afrikaans. Blade Nzimande has been quoted as saying this is a form of "covert racism"http:///www.mg.co.za/article/2009-10-05-a-deadly-war-of-languages. Is it really though? Is it so terrible that the University of Stellenbosch is using its constituitional right, by choosing one of the official eleven languages. The Afrikaaner race is a minority and could be said is dying out, so now that they are preserving their culture and language, its racist? Iam a young, black woman, so obviously Iam not being subjective in any way. I just feel that pulling the race card everytime white people want to do something to promote their culture its wrong? Iam aware that it tends to discriminate against non-Afrikaans speaking students that want to study at Stellenbosch, so is then that we don't have Xhosa Universities, Zulu and Tswana Universities? Why is it that English has to be the be-all and end-all of education? Our native languages are dying out, when people try to preserve them its perceived as racist? Am I missing something here, or is it because its white people? I'll have you know Mr. Nzimande Afrikaans is a native South African language and Afrikaaers are South African too.
Maybe Nzimande should mind his racial slurs!
In order to adhere to government regulations, the University of Stellenbosch has introduced more courses taught in both English and Afrikaans, as opposed to the single medium of instruction being Afrikaans. Blade Nzimande has been quoted as saying this is a form of "covert racism"http:///www.mg.co.za/article/2009-10-05-a-deadly-war-of-languages. Is it really though? Is it so terrible that the University of Stellenbosch is using its constituitional right, by choosing one of the official eleven languages. The Afrikaaner race is a minority and could be said is dying out, so now that they are preserving their culture and language, its racist? Iam a young, black woman, so obviously Iam not being subjective in any way. I just feel that pulling the race card everytime white people want to do something to promote their culture its wrong? Iam aware that it tends to discriminate against non-Afrikaans speaking students that want to study at Stellenbosch, so is then that we don't have Xhosa Universities, Zulu and Tswana Universities? Why is it that English has to be the be-all and end-all of education? Our native languages are dying out, when people try to preserve them its perceived as racist? Am I missing something here, or is it because its white people? I'll have you know Mr. Nzimande Afrikaans is a native South African language and Afrikaaers are South African too.
Maybe Nzimande should mind his racial slurs!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Do nothing, win a Nobel Prize
By: Lara van Zyl
Newspapers, either in print or online, are currently reporting on the controversy surrounding President Barack Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize. News24 reported on former Nobel winner Jimmy Carter’s support for Obama. The New York Times focuses on the mixture of praise and doubt that Obama has received http://http//www.nytimes.com/2009/10/10/world/10nobel.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=the%20nobel%20peace%20prize&st=cse. It is well researched, written and structured, mentioning that Obama was chosen as the recipient for this prestigious award for, “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples”, this praise comes from the Noble committee for “creating a new climate in international politics” http://http//www.news24.com/Content/World/News/1073/d0dfe411ff374692b9807448a439e288/09-10-2009-09-31/Nobel_violence_prize_for_Obama. Obama has yet to accomplish great things. Forgive me, but the Nobel should be awarded to someone based on what they have achieved as opposed to what they have yet to achieve. The New York Times does not appear to be subjective, on the contrary, it is written in an objective manner – exploring the situation from different angles. The validity of the decision appears to be the primary source of the controversy. News24 http://http//www.news24.com/Content/World/News/1073/3f6c440b23b6407fbf4a0f24d203cb2a/15-10-2009-09-10/Carter_Obamas_Nobel_a_mix is less informative and only states that former President Jimmy Carter supports Obama because of the, “aggressive agenda that he is still working to fulfil”. The New Yorks Times reported the facts and sufficient information to their readers to enable them to decide whether Obama should or should not be praised. On a final note: what happens if Obama is unable to fulfil his aggressive agenda, would it not be an affirmation of what many critics are saying now?
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
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