Who knew writing had so many drawbacks?
Yes, it's true -- the life of a writer is not always an easy one. Because for all you people who have said to me over the years, "You have the coolest job" and "I wish I could do that for a living" (*snort* -- not once they hear the salary, they don't), I must say...
Some parts of this job suck. They're frustrating as hell. And I'm not talking about money.
I have been known to editorialize in my writing -- but only where I was permitted and encouraged (as suited tone of publication -- I can be a saucy little brat). But I am capable of being objective when the occasion demands.
But there are times, my friends, where it takes everything in my soul not to write exactly how I feel.
Like today.
When I was asked to write a news brief about Teen People dumping a feature on a girl musical duo. Blond-haired, blue-eyed twins, only 13 years old. They're called Blue Prussian and they're from California. They have photos on a related blog site were they're modeling for something I believe is called Aryanwear. These smiling little cherubs have happy faces on their t-shirt... happy faces with Hitler 'staches and hair.
I described them in an email to the editor as being " hardcore, Nazi-sympathizing, White Race Power, holocaust-denying, scary-ass crackers." The worst part is that they were -- for lack of a better word -- bred that way. Their parents raised them with the same value system.
And they're only 13. For fuck's sake.
Did you know who you were and what you stood for at 13? I sure as hell didn't. And no one else I know did, either. Yet they're being fostered into the dismal, horrifying lifestyle... And people are writing about it.
Including myself. Let me just say... being objective was VERY fucking hard today.
Worse still, it seems that Teen People and Elle Girl were competing -- competing!!!! -- to get these girls featured in the magazine. And that they went with Teen People because they were offered some semblance of editorial control...
It... was... horrifying. I'm sickened, apalled and embarassed that people in my profession have stooped so painfully low. I mean, media doesn't have the greatest reputation now anyway. And I've been trying my hardest to keep my copy clean and away from external influences.
But this... THIS!
And my editor (lovely fellow) kept saying, "But it's OK -- it's bad press."
No press is bad press for those kinds of creatures.
I feel ill.
Some parts of this job suck. They're frustrating as hell. And I'm not talking about money.
I have been known to editorialize in my writing -- but only where I was permitted and encouraged (as suited tone of publication -- I can be a saucy little brat). But I am capable of being objective when the occasion demands.
But there are times, my friends, where it takes everything in my soul not to write exactly how I feel.
Like today.
When I was asked to write a news brief about Teen People dumping a feature on a girl musical duo. Blond-haired, blue-eyed twins, only 13 years old. They're called Blue Prussian and they're from California. They have photos on a related blog site were they're modeling for something I believe is called Aryanwear. These smiling little cherubs have happy faces on their t-shirt... happy faces with Hitler 'staches and hair.
I described them in an email to the editor as being " hardcore, Nazi-sympathizing, White Race Power, holocaust-denying, scary-ass crackers." The worst part is that they were -- for lack of a better word -- bred that way. Their parents raised them with the same value system.
And they're only 13. For fuck's sake.
Did you know who you were and what you stood for at 13? I sure as hell didn't. And no one else I know did, either. Yet they're being fostered into the dismal, horrifying lifestyle... And people are writing about it.
Including myself. Let me just say... being objective was VERY fucking hard today.
Worse still, it seems that Teen People and Elle Girl were competing -- competing!!!! -- to get these girls featured in the magazine. And that they went with Teen People because they were offered some semblance of editorial control...
It... was... horrifying. I'm sickened, apalled and embarassed that people in my profession have stooped so painfully low. I mean, media doesn't have the greatest reputation now anyway. And I've been trying my hardest to keep my copy clean and away from external influences.
But this... THIS!
And my editor (lovely fellow) kept saying, "But it's OK -- it's bad press."
No press is bad press for those kinds of creatures.
I feel ill.
posted by /hg | 4:02 p.m.
2 Comments:
I've heard of this as well...
And I think it is apalling. Those kids shouldn't have any type of press because usually the case is always the same. No press is bad press because it gets your name out there to the masses. And let's face the fact. There still is quite a mass of people here in the U.S. that will boost these Nazi Aryan kids higher than they ever will deserve to go.
I am sick as well.
That was my point to my editor.
What I can't figure out is why people like this still exist... is bigotry a recessive gene?
I know, I know. It's everywhere. But it still infuriates me.
And more cleverly (read: sinister), is that it's not only in the guise of young girls, but those who people would never dare to challenge. Certainly not anyone people would shout at. God, it's as bad as Jerry Springer. Only without the ability to make their ridiculousness speak for itself.
Too sneaky.
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