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Monday through Thursday at 9am and 8pm; Friday at 9am |
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Being a Blind Journalist
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Well, an end to the writers’ strike means that Tinsel Town’s biggest annual celebration is back on. With “A-List” celebs busting out the gowns, the glam and the glitz, this year’s Oscars on Sunday will be a sight to behold… for most. But how do you break down the bold and the beautiful in a convincing way if you’re a journalist who happens to be blind? Chicago writer Beth Finke says it’s not nearly as difficult as you might think. She recalls a story she wrote about a couple of atypical Oscar-goers.
A few years ago I wrote a newspaper story about two Chicago women who’d won a trip to the Academy Awards. They bought new outfits at a studio on N. Elston that names dresses after old movie stars. One of the women would be wearing the Grace. Glancing down at her own figure, she laughed and said, “Maybe when I wear it, it’s a Liz! The editor told me to take that line out.
Readers who recognize my byline know I’m blind. How could a blind person know someone was glancing down? They’d question the story. But I had been standing right next to the woman when she said it. I’d heard her voice go down, then up. I’d felt her movement. I knew she'd glanced at herself. Sorry, the editor said. The quote had to go.
Later on I wrote a profile of a female brigadier general. A photo would appear with the story, so I didn't bother describing what the general looked like. But I needed visuals, the editor told me. It’s part of good journalism. I could have just asked the editor what the photo looked like and written that into the story. But that didn't seem, well, like good journalism. So I picked up the phone and called the general. Her secretary answered. I told her my predicament and asked if she could tell me what her boss looked like. She thought about this a long while. Finally she said, “All of us around her, even though we know she’s only five foot one, think she’s seven feet.” It was a great quote. I used it in the story. My editor was happy. She gave me another assignment: interview Miss America. But then she withdrew her offer, asking how a blind woman could write about a beauty queen. This made me all the more determined.
I showed up for the interview with my Seeing Eye dog and asked Miss America the all-important question. “What do you look like?" If this question had come from any other reporter, it might have thrown her off. But Miss America had poise. Plus, she'd looked in the mirror once or twice in her lifetime. She was bi-racial, and pretty comfortable describing herself. “I have caramel-colored skin, long brown hair, and very expressive brown eyes,” she told me. “I think it’s very hard for people to tell exactly what I am.” That quote went right in the story.
I may not be able to see, but I'm resourceful. Asking colleagues to describe the person I'm interviewing – or asking the person to describe themselves to me -- makes for good quotes. Left to myself, though, I'd keep visual descriptions completely out of my stories. I take pride in the way I write. My descriptions reflect one of the few benefits of being blind. I judge people by what they say. And what they do. That helps make me a good writer.
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Cheryl, Elmhurst // Wednesday, February 20, 2008 @ 3:15 PM
I loved listening to Beth explain her challenges in writing and how she not only accomplishes the challenge but does an even better job. (I also liked the musical interludes).
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Carol Dorsey, Printers Row Chicago // Friday, February 22, 2008 @ 3:57 PM
Judging people by what they say and do? Not only does that make you a better writer but a better person.
I enjoy listening to Beth's insights. Thanks.
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Marilee, Orlando // Saturday, February 23, 2008 @ 5:34 PM
As a teacher we often teach our students to
"show us- don't tell us" in their writing. This often includes lots of "descpritors"- but those do not have to be visual - it can be what is heard and actions- this recording will be a great tool for our 8th grade Language Arts class. Great production!
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Laurie Cashman, Hoffman Estates // Tuesday, February 26, 2008 @ 7:39 PM
Beth is a great writer and a wonderful storyteller. This was such an enjoyable piece, I listened to it twice.
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Salome, Wicker Park // Wednesday, February 27, 2008 @ 11:39 PM
This piece is excellent for my budding 5th grade writers who are learning how to read the world around them and write it all down! More stories like this...please!
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