She's a bundle of joy!
Stories about the first baby born in the New Year are among the hoariest of journalism cliches. We try to avoid them, but sometimes we just can't; the complete lack of any other news on Jan. 1 forces our hand. Besides, they are a bit of "good news" in a world often lacking in it.
Or maybe not.
Yesterday, Eric Collins wrote about Guilford County's first baby of the year, Saniya Janae Jones-Pritchett. The calls and e-mails started. Out of several received, none offered congratulations. One asked why we didn't use a white couple's baby. (You might be surprised at the number of people who complain when we have photographs of African Americans in the paper.) Another suggested that we should not have featured the baby of a couple the caller presumed to be unmarried.
Another reader e-mailed her thoughts: After looking at the picture of the smiling parents of Saniya, I must ask some questions, since the story said very little about the father. Does he have a job, who will support this baby, if he does not -- will the taxpayers be asked to foot the bill for the smiling parents?
I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but it concerns me that other teenagers may look at this story and not get a picture of the whole story when teenagers gets pregnant.
Perhaps a follow-up story about jobless, unwed teens who become parents is in order. What about a follow-up to this story? Giving the other side of the story concerning the realities and responsibilities of bringing another human being into the world might be in order.
Comments (2)
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Here in the midst of the celebration of the new year, a time for beginnings and starting over, we have these troublesome comments. If you were to ask the person who said this, they would say, "I'm not prejudice."
I am dismayed that people still think like this.
I want to know what those people who criticized the printing of the picture of the first baby born in the new year want. Do they want a picture of the first WHITE baby born printed? Is it only the birth of white children that is to be celebrated? If the baby was white, would you wonder if the father had a job?
"I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but it concerns me that other teenagers may look at this story and not get a picture of the whole story when teenagers gets pregnant."
Yep. I'm sure there are a lot of teenagers out there who think, "I know, I'll get pregnant and maybe I'll get lucky and have the baby right after midnight on New Year's Eve and get some freebies out of Babies 'R Us."
This would be laughable if it weren't so heartbreaking.
How about a follow up to this blog post concerning the realities of racism in our community?
Posted on January 3, 2006 5:12 PM
I am still amazed at the ignorant comments of many.
Its a sad day when we continue to look at the color of others skin.
The e-mail responses sadden me. The first baby born in the new year IS the first baby born regardless of color, age of parents, gender, etc.
Regarding jw's post about the reality of racism, I agree that the topic is relevant for the entire community.
On Wed., night while attending the little four basketball tournament, I heard a similiar comment after the Dudley, Northwest girls basketball game. Dudley placed 1st and NW placed second. After the game, photos were taken of both teams. As the NW girls had their picture taken, the lady behind me said, "Why are they taking pictures of those white girls?". What difference does it make what color of skin the girls had......they had a great tournament and deserved recognition also?
Until we as an entire community recognize that the worth of an individual is not determined by their skin color, we are in trouble!
Posted on January 3, 2006 6:40 PM