Eventually, my mentor and three dozen or so of his colleagues left on Friday. The glum looks of those leaving and those left behind told of a bond broken by the economic forces that has caused a downturn in America’s media industry.
Once booming, the blows from Internet craze and mobile phone technology, have strangled life out of the US media.
When I walked into The Baltimore Sun over four months ago, I did not have the faintest idea of what was coming neither did Harry. There was talk about “things not being well in most American newsrooms.”
I did not know that it would be this close to me. There was the nice, kind lady at the Business desk Ms Laura Mclandish, who went out of her way to make me settle down to life in Baltimore. She is leaving. I think of the writer who took me to City Hall for my story on Summer Food Program. He too is leaving. Lynn Anderson one of the officials at the Newspaper Guild who took me to one of my assignments to West Baltimore, is also leaving. No words could express my grief looking at colleagues forcibly torn away from this noble of professions.
Harry and I had prepared for any eventuality and as the news that he was leaving sunk in, we took it all in out strides. Yet despite that, Harry’s departure like for the rest of the staff, was sad. In the months that I worked with him, I enjoyed every bit of it despite the tumult. I will miss him working tirelessly, always on time, despite knowing that he was leaving. I admire the commitment, the zeal to push down copy. I admire the energy and the focus.
Meanwhile, Robert Little took me to his house on July 27 where we steamed a bushel of crabs. It was fun. I tell you what, Robert and his wife are planning to visit Kenya next year. Just as he got me live crabs to steam, I will get a live goat to slaughter for him. We also plan to go on a safari to the Masai Mara and take a ride on the fabled matatu. Sounds exciting for all of us.
It is Monday, August 4th the week after the month before. I have a new mentor- Patricia Fanning.
At the back of my mind, I cannot hide the excitement because finally, finally August is here and it will all be over in 23 days. Watch out for my next blog
1 comment:
I feel the sorrow of you losses at the Sun. These are, indeed, difficult times for American print media outlets. I'm glad, though, that you enjoyed steaming live crabs with your friends -- fresh crab is one of the great pleasures of living in Baltimore!
Julie -AFPF-
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