Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Diversity may instill a dose of reality
Read Shanna's blog
Shanna Flowers is The Roanoke Times' metro columnist.
Shanna Flowers
Recent columns
That's how Editor Mike Riley referred to me in a Sunday piece last month introducing me as The Roanoke Times' new metro columnist. His yin-yang characterization captures precisely the synergy that Cuppa and I are striving to create. Sure, Joe and I have our obvious differences: He's white, I'm black. He's a man, I'm a woman. He lives in Roanoke County; I live in the city.
But rather than repelling like oil and water, his yang and my yin will complement each other. Through perspectives rooted in different backgrounds, interests and experiences, our columns collectively will give readers a broad look at the people, places and issues across our region.
I join Joe as The Times' second metro columnist after four years on the Editorial Board. Since my days as a newcomer to Roanoke in 2001, I have learned the likes and dislikes, habits and idiosyncracies of the people of Southwest Virginia.
As a member of the Editorial Board, I wrote as the "institutional voice" of the paper. But as a metro columnist, I speak for me.
That's right. If I say that Roanoke City Councilman Brian Wishneff knows a lot of things but the city's stadium needs obviously aren't among them, that's me, Shanna Flowers, talking - not The Roanoke Times.
If I write that "droopy drawers" are far less offensive than a General Assembly that talks a good game about teacher salaries but isn't willing to fund them, that's my voice, not the paper's.
Of course, I'm not naive enough to think that you will agree with everything I write. My job is not to endear, but to enlighten and engage.
The intent is that you at least will consider another perspective, to understand that people think differently than you do - and their opinion deserves to be aired.
My goal is to take issues in the news to the next level. For me, that includes finding local people whose circumstances reflect news events and trends occurring locally, nationally and internationally.
The hope is that even if you don't see yourself in that person, you will better understand how events are not as distant as they may seem - that someone you know might be affected by decisions made at various levels.
And then, frankly, there will be columns in which I just go off because I find something so incredibly ridiculous. Or heartening. Or just plain fascinating.
As a full-time columnist, I'll publish Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. I will ease into my new role, gradually building up to three days a week.
Joe is keeping his Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Unlike Joe's column, mine doesn't have a name, because, well, I don't want it to.
Like I said, different styles but good synergy.
Yin and yang.
