I learned about the 9/11 terror attacks on my way to my job as a full-time journalist. I wondered why I was stuck in traffic during my typically smooth commute to the newsroom. I heard it on the radio.
When I got to work, I wrote a story about a library.
I don’t remember which Oklahoma town the library was in or what the story was about—grant, fundraising, renovation, expansion—it makes no difference.
What I remember feeling was useless. In the immediate aftermath of an event that changed America, I was on deadline and writing about a library. Who cares?
I had plenty of opportunities later to write about the attacks. Unfortunately, we all did as we explored Oklahoma angles to the story.
I got more from writing about the library.
We all need a little sense of normalcy in times of unthinkable trauma. We cannot wallow in the hate, anger, sadness, and despair.
Writing about that library is the reason I did not stop my regular Twitter posts yesterday following the bombings at the Boston Marathon.
Some people suggested to myself and others that all regular business on Twitter should stop out of respect.
I disagree. I am not insensitive to the magnitude of suffering in Boston. I even tweeted what I see as some key, well-received reminders to those in my industry.
Being right is much more important than being first. #journalism #media
— Kenna Griffin (@profkrg) April 16, 2013
Reporting something is “unconfirmed” means you shouldn’t report it. Report verifiable truth. #journalism #media
— Kenna Griffin (@profkrg) April 16, 2013
I also am sensitive to the idea that it’s easy to believe the world is a mean and terrible place if that’s the only information you see.
If we only released and consumed information about tragedies—domestic and international—when they occurred, that’s all we’d ever see.
Nearly 50 people died this morning in an earthquake in Iran. The Associated Press reported that 55 people died yesterday in Iraq.
Why tell companies to stop tweeting because of an American tragedy & not also ask them to stop for every country’s woes?
— Chris Brogan (@chrisbrogan) April 15, 2013
We could read about death and destruction all day, every day.
Business as usual isn’t a lack of respect for Boston.
It’s the understanding that sometimes we just need to read about a library.
Shellsez says
“profkrg: Why I Chose to Tweet Normally Through Tragedy. http://t.co/OwhGH1TOgp #Prayerstoboston
tmonhollon says
profkrg Thanks for sharing, Kenna!
profkrg says
tmonhollon You are welcome. Thoughts on this? How are you doing?
tmonhollon says
profkrg I think it depends on the person and/or business, and it’s an important thing for us to discuss.
profkrg says
tmonhollon Yes, I agree that discussion and consideration are important. I’ve never heard of “tragedy jacking,” but I’ve seen it.
tmonhollon says
profkrg I kind of made it up: It’s like trend-jacking, but I think people see the discussion around a tragedy and get think “trend,” sadly.
tmonhollon says
profkrg But I hate “tragedy-jacking” — sharing a condolence message that also promotes product/content/service. Insincere and bad form.
profkrg says
Kari_Williams Thank you, Kari. Thoughts on this?
Kari_Williams says
profkrg I think it makes a lot of sense. There is going to be so much coverage that people are going to want something else to read about.
profkrg says
Kari_Williams it really can bring you down emotionally if all you ever read or see is the bad stuff.
Kari_Williams says
profkrg I agree. That’s part of the reason I’ve been trying not to watch too much coverage of this like I did with Sandy Hook.
profkrg says
Kari_Williams I tend to avoid television as much as possible during these types of events. I don’t need repeated images, just facts.
Kari_Williams says
profkrg Plus, you can’t stop doing your job. Even though they don’t seem as important, other news still needs to be reported.
Kari_Williams says
profkrg Plus, you can’t stop doing your job. Even though they it doesn’t seem as important, other news still needs to be reported.
Kari_Williams says
profkrg Plus, you can’t stop doing your job. Even though it doesn’t seem as important, other news still needs to be reported.
SamanthaPerera4 says
I agree with you whole heartedly! The fact that you continued your daily routine does not diminish the magnitude of an event nor does it take attention away from it. I grew up in a different country and in a very different situation, where we faced a civil war for most of my life and devastated a part of my country. We experienced suicide bombers even in the areas not torn apart by war, like the capital city. I remember going to work the very next day after a bomb explosion took place the day before right in front of my office. Life has to go on, I believe that’s how we can overcome those tragedies and hope to recover and regain ourselves. Devastating events take place somewhere in the world almost on a daily basis, sometimes we feels the shock-waves from them and sometimes we don’t. We all have to hang on to our humanity, not slander and blame, and help in anyway we can, but we must also “keep on swimming.”
RigginsConst says
I posted a sympathetic tweet and waited a bit. I didn’t post any promotional materials. My family is from the Northeast and we also had a subcontractor there with his wife (who had just finished when the bombs hit). I think it’s good to be a human and to give some space but also to resume with normalcy. This is part of the American resilience.
jarjoh says
profkrg. Enjoyed that post. Normalcy, along with education and support, is the way to win the long war
profkrg says
jarjoh thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
raezenmuzik says
BruceSallan profkrg I agree. There is something to be said about the “echo” of negativity that only exacerbates pain.
darlenecary says
I have mixed feelings, but in the end I think it is good to carry on. Like some other commentors, I held off on posting content.
angelashelton says
BruceSallan profkrg Awesome! Stay normal in an F-Ed up world.
LauriRottmayer says
Nice perspective, thank you. I initially thought it seemed insensitive but I wholeheartedly agree that reading (or watching) the same horrifying thing over and over again is just not healthy. Thank goodness for the library!
profkrg says
danasitar Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Calebhowardnow says
When I initially heard of the tragedy and began scanning Twitter to find out what I could, I retweeted a post that suggested social media managers to suspend their normal postings. It was almost a reflex. I just assumed that it would be a good idea. A brand wouldn’t want anything posted during a tragedy that might look crass, right? Well after reading this post and thinking about it I wish I wouldn’t have retweeted so quickly. I look to Aristotle’s Golden Mean, which we have discussed in Media Ethics class, to shed light on my stance. For some business and brands it might be good to suspend scheduled posts in order to aid the public in a time of crisis. Companies such as Adidas and Southwest Airlines who were directly and indirectly involved in the marathon posted http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2013/04/16/Brands-Boston-Marathon-Bombing-041613.aspx that expressed grief and ones that aided the travelers in Boston. This was the appropriate measure for these companies to take. On the other side, I agree we do need some solidarity in times like these and for companies that had no tie to the marathon regularly scheduled tweets were probably okay. It comes back to what is an acceptable reaction for your company. Where do you sit on the continuum? Advertising a recipe along with empathy for the victims like https://twitter.com/socialnerdia/status/324256764897918976/photo/1 probably not good…but going dark on social media maybe just as bad.
RichBecker says
seanmcginnis profkrg Yeah, I mostly agree. It depends, though, you know? Some of the automated tweets really sucked.
VZWandrea says
seanmcginnis profkrg RichBecker automated tweets ought to be ceased. This writer raised a good point, balancing life with tragedy helps.
RichBecker says
VZWandrea seanmcginnis profkrg Yeah, I thought he raised good points too. The lesson: Think.
chrismlusk says
ThadAyers Kenna is the adviser at OCU, not OU. Heads up.
ThadAyers says
My apologies to UCO & OU for that mix-up. Still a good post 🙂 Cc OUDaily “chrismlusk: Kenna is the adviser at OCU, not OU. Heads up.”
arikia says
davewiner And some of us do.
KDCoppes says
MeghanMBiro profkrg
It is 100 times better to affirm life than to dwell on tragedy and trials.
Affirm life always.
SocialMediaDIY says
Kenna, you have expressed such an important truth with style. Thank you. I also choose to keep doing business as usual, like you. Not because my heart doesn’t go out to the people impacted by tragedies and disasters. But because I choose to keep moving forward in my life and business in spite of the obstacles. I love this post!
profkrg says
SocialMediaDIY I appreciate your kind words. Take care!