Ruby Cayenne

The feelings I have on a subject such as this are so complex, that I struggle to articulate them, but it is a mixture of immense frustration and anger, deep sadness, and a drive to change the world for the better and sacrifice myself for the greater good of humanity. I have forcefully lessened my desire to become a war journalist or to entirely dedicate my life to the rights of humanity, but there are many times when I still feel deeply conflicted.

I feel strongly that my own individual life is not worth more than the fair treatment of humanity as a whole. It saddens me so much because there is also the urge to bury myself in the sand and focus solely on family and simple things. I hear from many people that they are not going to have children because of the state of the world. I also have many people close to me who put themselves into a bubble and have children. There are many who rest in between, as well.

For myself, I have never been able to stomach the concept that ignorance is bliss, and I don’t know if that is for better or for worse, but I refuse to exist with a lack of understanding of the suffering being enacted and received in this world and cannot just do nothing about it. This mindset, for me, does come with some degree of nihilism, masochism, intensity and despair. But also, always motivation and strength.

This career I have chosen, journalism, is a decision based on the purpose I am passionate about. This tool of writing I possess allows me to share eloquently and strongly what is going on in the world around us. That is my way of leaving this world better than it was when I happened upon it by being born, an act that was already much too existential for my liking.

Simultaneously, being a journalist, for me, is a constant act of stuffing down my various and lengthy triggers. I don’t allow myself to be deterred by trigger warnings because I don’t want the stuff I’ve been through to affect the things I can witness. Maybe that’s the masochist in me. Not saying it still doesn’t affect me, I just force myself to process the emotions, learn and move forward the best I can.

So, the question of what can we do as journalists, right? While the number of incredible “quote-worthy” statements in the documentary was lengthy, my favorite quote of them all was: “I am not an observer I am a participant,” Dmitry Muratov. This, for me, speaks to one of the very things I have struggled with as a journalist, whether or not to also be an activist in a sense and speak out about injustices on a personal level. What has always felt right in my heart and head is to do both of those things, but also still write honest and ethical pieces, so that is what I go with.

For me, Donald Trump’s presidency was far too much insanity, manipulation, tyranny, and ignitor of hatred. The article in our reading regarding the timeline is just one example of such injustices. Trump himself was vocal about his friendship with Vladimir Putin and his appreciation of Putin’s philosophies. We’ve come closer to terror than we’ve collectively realized, I think.

For the last part of this writing piece, I’ll aim to answer the question posed “what we can do — as journalists, as media consumers and as citizens — to further a liberatory ethics quest of the sort that Dussel propounds.”

To fellow journalists and myself: Hold yourself accountable to your biases but don’t let me prevent you from examining all things with a close eye. Prioritize the interests of the things that keep this world in balance (which is broad but hopefully understandable through a hopefully inherent sense of “good”). Call for people to do whatever they so choose as long as they are not hurting anyone or anything in a physical, mental or emotional way. Be strong and peaceful. Advocate for equity and ethical treatment of all people and all aspects of nature.

To media consumers and all citizens: Too many mass experiments throughout society have unequivocally shown that humans are easily influenced. Misogyny, racism, acceptance of tyranny, human rights services like health care and education, smoking, fashion, food, and much much more are examples of ulterior motives being packaged in a way that both serves and takes, or worse, just takes in the most insidious of ways. Be aware of this. Fact check to the best of your abilities. Be conscious of the outlets you are supporting not just by means of finances but also viewership. 

Admittedly, the more I write on this topic the more despair I feel. At times it seems that humanity has lost its way, but when I speak with some people person to person, I see the glimmers of light around me and I am hopeful. Maybe also I am a fool.

Here’s how you can show your support for press freedom and the right to know

https://www.bushcenter.org/publications/how-to-protect-and-enhance-freedom-of-expression

^^^^^^^^ this above link is an article straight from George W. Bush’s Presidential Center website. I think it’s worth comparing this article to the one from The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.