The list of finalists for the Religion Newswriters Association's "journalist of the year" awards has just been released. I am glad to say I am a finalist in the mid-sized newspapers category.
I thought I had a strong portfolio for 2007 but you never know about such things. For one thing, I am always busy doing my daily job and don't have the luxury to spend a lot of time on any one story or series. In addition, I get virtually no travel budget to cover things out of town or out of state or out of the country, which often leads to some of the most inspiring stories.
But of course I realize many of my colleagues are in the same boat -- some, not all.
The other reason I don't get my hopes up is that I don't write with contests in mind. I write for the newspaper readers, not contest judges. I know some journalists who are always thinking of what they need to do to write something that will win a contest. Awards do give a reporter a certain amount of prestige and respect, which is good -- maybe even necessary -- for some people's egos. The competition is pretty fierce and there are many terrific religion reporters out there.
For me, contests are incidental. I do my job as a reporter/editor and when contest time rolls around, I go back and sort things out and hope I find something worth entering.
A lot of years, I don't even submit any entries. This system may be backwards in regard to contests, but I think it's the best way to do the job right.
Well, as they say in Hollywood, it's an honor just to be nominated. Time will tell if I come home with an award this year (unlike last year, when I was a finalist but came home empty-handed).
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I wrote an article for tomorrow's paper about a new book by Bishop V. Gene Robinson, who wrote that he is willing to take a stand and put up with all kinds of personal attacks because he believes God is calling him to do something -- be the first openly gay and noncelibate bishop in the Episcopal Church.
I don't have the same interpretation of scripture as Bishop Robinson when it comes to homosexuality, but I do think that taking a stand and putting up with flak can be the only option for someone of courage and conviction. He said he wore a bulletproof vest to his consecration. That speaks volumes and I respect him for that.
In fact, I can relate to Bishop Robinson for standing up for something he believes will ultimately result in the greater good. He was willing to face death threats rather than take the easy way out and avoid the issue, or hope that someone else will step in and take the heat instead of him.
When people read news reports they don't like, the knee-jerk reaction is to blame the messenger. Attacking a reporter is always easier than facing up to the issues or fixing the problems. I don't mind. In fact, I consider it a sign that I'm doing a good job.
Toledo, Ohio
May 2, 2008