Today was a hard day; not only as a journalist but as a human being. I went to Sparks Middle School to cover today’s shooting for the Sparks Tribune to talk with students and parents about the incident (for those who are unaware of today’s event- a student brought in a handgun to Sparks Middle School this morning and shot at several people. A math teacher and former Marine, Michael Landsberry, was shot and killed while protecting a student). As much as I tried to be stoic and professional, I wanted badly to drop my notepad and camera to hug these individuals. The amount of tears I saw this morning was overwhelming but at the same time, I was happy to tell these people’s stories.
A lot people criticize today’s journalism as being insensitive and callous. But my journalistic peers and I strive to tell and show the truth. After reading various media sites, where people commented on how terrible people we journalists are for reaching out at the scene for stories, I want to remind everyone that we are people, too, and we do feel for our story subjects. My heart breaks for the students and staff at Sparks Middle School. As thrilling of a news day it was for me today, I hope to never report on such a tragedy again.
20Something 