January 2009 Archives

Today I was working on a short magazine piece when it happened: fully formed sentences poured from my head onto the page via my fingertips.

I didn't stop to question it. I just kept typing, knowing that moments like this are a gift; and that, if you want to show your appreciation for the gift, you should type first, critique later. (Or, to use a different type of analogy, great sex shouldn't be put dissected and analyzed at the peak of passion. Neither should great writing.)

It's all about going with the flow, in writing as in life: relinquishing some of that creativity-blocking control in favor of enjoying a totally unscripted ride -- just seeing where the words will take you.

I am so happy and excited because I've just stumbled across the motherlode of content about rethinking journalism, engaging with audiences in new ways, and changing the world through words. I don't feel like doing anything that is actually on my to do list. I just want to dive in and read everything. This is incredible. Check out this newsmagazine and everything that's tucked in behind it. It's a world and career-changing idea smorgasbord.

Ava Berkofsky has done some amazing work documenting the lives of women in the US prison system. She points out in Strange Silence: Portraits from Women's Prisons: Louisiana, Texas, Kentucky, and New Mexico that the number of women being incarcerated in the US has been increasing steadily for the past ten years.

She writes.

"The past 10 years have given us unprecedented levels of incarceration among all groups of people, but especially among women. The population of women's prisons nationally has doubled since 1997 alone. Most every woman I talked to knew this."

While you're visiting Berkofsky's site, be sure to check out Inconsolable: Brooklyn Funeral Homes -- another fabulous social essay written in photographs.

This is one of the most inspiring columns I've read in a long time -- one that makes me feel proud to be part of The Toronto Star's online family and that gives me renewed faith in the role that can be played by newspapers in this country.

Publisher John Cruikshank writes:

"The sorry consequences of regulatory laxness that permitted a few to become fantastically rich will be borne by all of us over the next few years and most painfully during the next 12 months. While Canadians today remain typically upbeat about their ability to compete and thrive even in the most difficult circumstances, these will be trying times.

This city and this country will need its media to be at its best in 2009, praising what is great, critiquing what should be changed, finding fun and human value in everyday events to offset the strain of hard days.

The Star has always had a unique ability to rise to these kinds of challenges. Its journalistic strength has been built on the Atkinson principles - a commitment to look out for the little guy, to pursue social justice for all and to articulate the passion we all feel for our city and our country.

* * *

The Star is the biggest newspaper in the country because it has a tradition of service to the largest constituency of Canadians. It has never seen itself as a vehicle for any particular class or clan or sect.

It speaks to the majority about the needs of minorities. It has always stood for an engaged, empowered citizenry in a strong, united Canada.

The changes at the Star in the days and months ahead will follow the pattern set out here. We will build on the foundations that have made the newspaper great and necessary.

We will listen to our readers and our employees, to our critics and our fans and we will act to make the Star even greater - great for the city, great for the country."

Talk about an inspiring way to start the year.

Related:

History of The Toronto Star