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| Steve Wood (Temple News) |
These days, it’s not uncommon to read about professional (read: paid) journalists who risk their lives for a story. In the world of collegiate journalism, the stakes are usually a bit lower. (Of course, there is a chance of being mugged at gunpoint in broad daylight after venturing into Northern Liberties for a story–but honestly, we all know you don’t need to be a reporter to get mugged in Philly.) Let’s face it, the life of the average DP staffer isn’t very dangerous.
However, it looks like one student journalist over at Temple is making some headlines. Last week, senior Steve Wood, features editor of the Temple News, went above and beyond the call of duty. In the name of journalism, he decided to spend his final spring break living among the homeless on the streets of Philly. Equipped with only $10, a tape recorder, and a few other survival essentials (such as a copy of Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, as well as a can of pepper spray and a blue baby blanket, which were “parting gifts” from his parents), Wood set out “to put a face to the homeless,” as he explained to Inquirer reporter Melissa Dribben.
I have to admit, Wood deserves a lot of credit for his efforts. But was it really worth it?
First of all, you have to realize that while many of you were basking in tropical climates last week, Philly definitely wasn’t enjoying the same spring-like temperatures we’ve been having the past several days. In fact, a week ago, around the same time that I’m writing this post, I was inching down my icy driveway in the Philly suburbs to clean the snow off my car.
But what’s a little hypothermia, when the good name of journalism is at stake, right? After all, Wood’s first piece chronicling his week’s adventures, which came out on Tuesday, was pretty interesting.
Especially the part about the woman shouting, “That motherfucker is going to jail! Look, that fucker slit my neck,” as she revealed “bloody hands and a gash on her throat.” Good thing Wood had that can of pepper spray.
So was it worth it? Let’s just hope Wood’s documentary serves as more than just a showcase of Philly’s underbelly.
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March 15th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
This Wood, what an egomaniac. First off, everyone knows it sucks to be homeless; we don’t need a “journalist” to convince us. And even if we did, this angle’s been done to death.
I get the impression Wood only wrote such a story to secure his place in the guerrilla hipster pantheon, alongside every kid who ever bought a Che Guevara t-shirt from Urban Outfitters or put a “Free Mumia” sticker on their ‘87 Volvo.
March 22nd, 2007 at 11:33 am
As an editor at The Temple News, I can assure you Steve did not write his story to ’secure his place in the guerrilla hipster pantheon.’
He did so with a couple objectives. To learn what they are, perhaps you’ll have to put your judgement aside and read his latest installment.