Truth Undresses Journalism

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/

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