America Wasn’t a Democracy until Black Americans made it one

This is an article from the New York Times in 2019, and discusses the impact of black lives on American history. The headline of the story makes it inviting and wanting to read more in bold print it reads “Our democracy’s founding ideals were false when they were written. Black Americans have fought to make them true.

The story opens up as a narrative, as if you are the one writing this story. It goes into detail of the writers father as well as their childhood home. There is a sense of pride and patriotism right from the get go when the writer talks about flying the American flag outside of their home. This takes a sudden shift to a darker America that many want to bury away and forget. A picture is painted of the deep south during the times of cotton mills and black people slaving away from dusk until dawn, and suddenly the story and the headline start to collide. The reader is introduced to how the writers father was raised and the conditions they had to live through, it then goes into more detail about his family, his mother, grandmama, etc. It discusses the rights, or lack there of, Black Americans had during these trying times.

A good chunk of history that is commonly wrong in history is that all of the northern states were welcoming of blacks and all of the south was not. Even when Jim Crow laws were put into place the idea of the “Promised Land” or the northern states was not necessarily the dream come true many blacks had hoped for.

The story continues when the writers grandmama packed up her family’s belongings and traveled north with her children in hopes of a better life outside of the south. That better life was a struggle to get to, even though we are well into the 1950’s and 60’s finding a job as a black women in most parts of the United States still meant cleaning or nannying for white families, the writers father also struggled with work during these times until eventually joining the army.

So far the story does a great job in diving into the characters background and history, as you read through the article your heart starts to break and eyes water thinking that not even 100 years ago black Americans were still struggling so much in this country. Once the Civil Rights Act and Movements happened many dropped the issue and thought “hmmm black people are equal to me, a white person, okay” yet people did not put in the work and effort to make these individuals their equals. The story does an excellent job of painting a picture of the heartache, struggles, and fight black Americans had to face.

The story continues with the writers father joining the army, and how he hoped it would make for a better life. Unfortunately that was not the case, even when he served his country, and fought side by side with his white brothers and sisters he was passed up and looked down on for the color of his skin. The writer talks about seeing her dad face these struggles and never understanding why her dad continued to fly the American flag outside of their house when she was younger, because she didn’t understand how her dad could have pride for a country that brushes him and his hard work to the side. As the writer got older she had a revelation and came to understand why her dad continued to fly the United States flag with pride. It was because the United States did not become one of the greatest countries in the world just by the white folks. It was through the blood, sweat, neglect, and care of the black Americans that made the United States what it is today. Although throughout history blacks were enslaved, treated poorly, etc. they also were the ones working their asses off to make sure the white people they worked for were successful.

The story continues to talk about Black accomplishments and how they were commonly forgotten or not talked about compared to white wealth throughout history and in schools.

Overall, I think the story followed the martini glass structure of journalism. The reader sees the header and knows what the story is going to most likely be about, then it starts off introducing important characters, it paints a picture of a black family’s life, then it dives into the raw stuff. The story takes a turn and talks about the history of black lives and how history isn’t always accurate. Then it goes into more factual information, only to end with the writer and her family again. It was a nice way to tie up a story and I thought the structure did a great job of presenting facts all while following a story of a girl and her father. I think this story is just as important and accurate today as it was a year ago when it was written.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/black-history-american-democracy.html

COVID potential feature stories

  1. How colleges are adjusting to COVID regulations
  2. What are some ways to protect yourself while attending classes
  3. What it was like to have COVID (interview someone who went through it after testing positive)
  4. Talk to a doctor, pharmacist, or nurse about their thoughts on how to attack and battle this virus
  5. What is the new “normal” everyone is mentioning
  6. How does COVID correlate with an increase in mental illness
  7. Similarities from COVID 19 to the 1918 Spanish Influenza
  8. How has college kid’s personal lives been effected by the virus
  9. Unemployment during the pandemic
  10. Being a senior in college during a pandemic
  11. Life without sports how the world is adjusting
  12. Activities outside that follow social distance guidelines
  13. A teachers perspective on teaching during a pandemic
  14. A first year teachers thoughts on battling COVID in the classroom while already tackling their first year of teaching
  15. How to adjust and adapt if someone you know gets the virus

NYT Article

Live Updates: Justice Department to Investigate Jacob Blake Shooting

  1. Increase in police brutality
  2. Family of a victim of police brutality point of view
  3. Gun control
  4. Education
  5. Racism

What is a story?

A story is something that is of purpose to someone. This could be a fictional tale, a non-fiction factual piece, or something that is designed to narrate a specific event. There are certain ways that make a story better, for example when someone is telling (writing) a story the main thing is to target who is in the story, what it will be about, and when the story takes place.

A good thing to note while writing a story whether it be fictional or non fictional is to figure out who will be listening to the story. Who is the main audience? When layering a story it should, in my opinion, be like a news story, where the most important, key information is discussed first then it trickles down the importance scale as the story continues.

Lastly, I think stories are important because it is a creative outlet to give others information about something that may spark their interests or common opinions. Stories are a great way of communications

5 Questions

  1. Why do people not wear masks even though the CDC recommends it?
  2. What would the world look like if humans did not exist?
  3. What can humans do to slow the advancements of global warming
  4. Why is marijuana not legal in all 50 states?
  5. How many people live in poverty in the United States?

The Cramer Legacy on the Diamond

Jodi Cramer found her passion in life when she stepped onto the softball diamond for the first time 35 years ago at the age of eight. Cramer said she remembers the moment like it was yesterday. The smell of the fresh cut grass and being surrounded by her friends she was hooked. 

“It was the first thing that ever made sense in my life. My parents had me sing in the choir at church, and I tried basketball the year before, and I liked all those things but playing softball just felt right.” Cramer said, “Don’t get me wrong I wasn’t good right from the start it took lots of practice, and tears to become successful, but man when I made contact with the ball for the first time, and throwing my first girl out at first, I knew this sport was what I was supposed to do.”

Fast forward a few years, and Cramer is in full swing of her junior high years. Cramer grew up in small town, Belmond Iowa where the softball season was in the summer, so instead of getting a new bathing suite for the year she got new softball cleats and a mitt. Growing up in the dirt gave Cramer a different attitude than most girls her age, she was tough, persevered through challenges, and loved to get dirty. 

“Jodi was always a hard worker, she had a love for the game that many of her teammates did not share. Even in junior high it was special to see the attitude and passion she brought to the field, and as her coach through all those years it was awesome to see her grow and achieve new things, “ said Cramer’s junior high coach, Jim Meyers.

In high school Cramer really came into her own in the game, playing for the Belmond-Klemme Broncos, she was the starting center fielder all 4 years of high school, and even had 2 trips to the state tournament. With a couple trips to state and school records in track throughout her high school days, Cramer was known for being quick and a hustler, which only made her an even better ball player. 

“My junior and senior year when the All-State honors came out I had to do a double take, I just couldn’t believe my name was on the list. I always felt undeserving like I could do better, get better, and I still feel that way today”, Cramer said. 

After high school, Cramer went on to play softball at Grand View College in Des Moines, where she made a name for herself both on the softball field and the volleyball court. After only two years of playing at the higher level, she eventually hung up her cleats and put on her coaching hat when she got married and moved to Idaho with her husband.

Cramer’s next destination was Pocatello, Idaho where she became Poky High School’s head softball coach, and history teacher. The program Cramer took over was subpar, the team didn’t have a reputation, and not many girls went out for the sport. That did not stop Cramer though, after only two years she got the team’s record up to above .500. Over the next decade, she would go on to coach them to several state tournaments, and be named Idaho Coach of the Year twice. 

“I always knew she had a niche for the game as a player, but her light really shown through as a coach. Seeing her instill that same passion and love for the game to her players was amazing to see and I have never been more proud of her, she is a damn good coach.” said Cramer’s mom, Donna Medina. 

After coaching at Poky for 15 years, Cramer decided to move her family back to Belmond, when the head coach position for volleyball and softball opened up at her alma mater. Her first year back she took the team to the state tournament in softball. 

“Belmond has gone through a handful of coaches in my time on the diamond, and I am so lucky my junior and senior year got to be with Coach Cramer, she literally made coming to practice every day fun and exciting”, said former short stop for the Broncos, Keyra Cook.

Cramer continues to coach to this day, she put away her coaching hat for a while to watch her kids play in high school, but just recently starting working with Belmond’s junior high program, and is loving every minute of it.

Midland Zoo Mourns the Loss of Beloved Bear

Tragedy struck the Midland Zoo this week when beloved polar bear, Homer, was found deceased in his exhibit. The 16 year old bear, was the oldest bear at the zoo and beloved by all.

“Homer was very curious and playful and will be missed terribly.” said, zookeeper, Sara N. Getty.

Polar bears have thrived at the Midland zoo since 1985, and their exhibit allows the bears to engage in natural behaviors, and mimic their natural habitat as much as possible with places for playing in snow, digging in gravel, and hunting trout in their chilled pool. They serve to educate visitors about this threatened species.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of death, but results can take several weeks. Zoo director, Chris P. Bacon, stated that the zoo will do everything in their power to determine how the bear died, and that animal welfare and the preservation of species is the zoo’s primary goal.

Jodi Cramer Profile Story Draft 1

Jodi Cramer found her passion in life when she stepped onto the softball diamond for the first time when she was 8 years old. Cramer said she remembers the moment like it was yesterday. The smell of the fresh cut grass and being surrounded by her friends, and she was hooked. 

“It was the first thing that ever made sense in my life. My parents had me sing in the choir at church, and I tried basketball the year before, and I liked all those things but playing softball just felt right.” Cramer said, “Don’t get me wrong I wasn’t good right from the start it too lots of practice, and tears to become successful, but man when I made contact with the ball hitting for the first time, and throwing my first girl out at first, I knew this sport was what I was supposed to do.”

Fast forward a few years, and she is in full swing of her junior high years. Cramer grew up in smalltown, Belmond Iowa where the softball season was in the summer, so instead of getting a new bathing suite for the year she got new softball cleats and a mitt. Growing up in the dirt gave Cramer a different attitude than most girls her age, she was tough, persevered through challenges, and loved to get dirty. 

“Jodi was always a hard worker, she had a love for the game that many of her teammates did not share. Even in junior high it was special to see the attitude and a love for the game she brought to the field, and as her coach through all those years it was awesome to see her grow and achieve new things, “ said Cramer’s junior high coach, Jim Meyers 

In high school Cramer really came into her own in the game, playing for the Belmond-Klemme Broncos, she was the starting center fielder all 4 years of high school, and even had 2 trips to the state tournament. With a couple trips and school records in track throughout her high school days, Cramer was known for being quick and a hustler, which only made her an even better ball player. 

“My junior and senior year when the All-State honors came out I had to do a double take, I just couldn’t believe my name was on the list. I always felt undeserving like I could do better, get better, and I still feel that way today”, Cramer said. 

After high school, Cramer went on the play softball at Grand View College in Des Moines, where she made a name for herself both on the softball field and the volleyball court. After only two years of playing at the higher level, she eventually hung up her cleats and put on her coaching hat when she got married and moved to Idaho with her fiance.

Cramer’s next destination was Pocatello, Idaho where she became Poky High School’s head softball coach, and history teacher. The program Cramer took over was subpar, the team didn’t have a reputation, and not many girls went out for the sport. That did not stop Cramer though, after only two years she got the team’s record up to above .500. Over the next decade, she would go on to coach them to several state tournaments, and be named Idaho Coach of the Year twice. 

“I always knew she had a niche for the game as a player, but her light really shown through as a coach. Seeing her instill that same passion and love for the game to her players was amazing to see and I have never been more proud of her, she is a damn good coach.” said Cramer’s mom, Donna Medina. 

After coaching at Poky for 15 years, Cramer decided to move her family back to Belmond, when the head coach position for volleyball and softball opened up at her alma mater. Her first year back she took the team to the state tournament in softball. 

Cramer continues to coach to this day, she put away her coaching hat for a while to watch her kids play in high school, but just recently starting working with Belmond’s junior high program, and is loving every minute of it. 

Anecdote

Jodi Cramer found her passion in life when she picked up a softball bat at the age of 8 years old. The swift motion of swinging to the crack of the bat when she made contact with the ball for the first time got her hooked on the game. Now 35 years later she is an all state coach of the sport with several trips to state tournaments under her belt.

More Female Athletes Talk About a Taboo: Their Period

This was an article from the Wall Street Journal, and it talks about how famous well known women athletes have been talking about their mensural cycle more publicly in the recent years.

This article was not really informational based rather than informative. It didn’t read like a normal news story, it was rather subjective, and instead of talking about these women and perhaps why they are doing it, it praised the women which made it more subjective to read. I think it worked and achieved the goal that the writer intended, it just was a lot different than most articles I have read.

I think it shed light on important information regarding women’s rights, feminism, and how having that public figure status as athletes is a great way to normalize, and talk about sensitive issues such as a woman’s period.