ON MY SOAPBOX
BY JASON HENNINGTON
This column represents the thoughts and opinions of Jason Hennington. This is not the opinion of the Taylor Press.
Who are “the people?”
Are they the ones who show up at meetings to offer praise or condemnation? Are they the ones who take action? Or, are they just the ones commenting or pontificating online?
Actually, they can be all of the above.
The issue is determining where you fall. Are you part of the people who take a stance and fight for what’s good or are you just among the people who like to fight?
When the people show up to address an issue, whether it’s before a school board, a city council or a neighborhood meeting, that’s a positive sign because they are concerned about what’s happening.
They are not relying on social-media posts to get information and they want to be involved.
However, there also are people whose main purpose is to disrupt. Whether they do it consciously or not, they can adversely alter or influence the course of discussion and the reasonable stances taken by other people. The intentions of the disrupters may be honorable, they may think they are acting on behalf of others, but the end result still can be negative.
As I’m writing this, I am listening to a song called “4 My Ppl” by Goodie Mob. Initially, I had planned to use lyrics from this song to address what I meant when I used the phrase “the people” in a recent news video called “The Glimpse,” which is nothing more than a quick look at the content in upcoming issues of the Taylor Press.
But, the more I listen to the tune, the more I realize I don’t need the lyrics to explain what I meant.
When a person decides to do something, whether for himself, herself or a collective of “the people,” that’s a decision he or she has to live with moving forward.
It’s not up to me to make a determination for them.
If that view leads to a news story, it’s my responsibility to make sure the article is presented accurately and objectively.
Not everyone will see both sides, but it’s not because both sides weren’t presented.
This goes back to hearing what’s not being said. When the facts are present, controversy, miscommunication and misunderstanding are, too.
When people pick and choose what they want to hear, instead of the whole conversation, they decide what version of “the people” they want to be.
Like the lyrics of the song say, “Every time I write/It be for my people...Every time I dream/It be for my people...I do it for the good/It be for my people.”
If I’m loved or hated by the people, it won’t stop me from doing my job for the people.
I’m going to get off my soapbox now, but before I do, I want to say rest in peace to Carolyn “Tutta” Jackson. (See? I pay attention during homecoming events).
She was one of the nicest people I ever met. I talked to her a few times and she was always happy and excited about everything. Being a journalist from Taylor and having the opportunity to meet and learn about her as a television host remains a pleasure and a blessing.
“This strictly for my people right here. Nobody else. So, if you don’t get it, don’t worry about it.”
— Khujo Goodie, 4 My Ppl
