by Joseph Akers
Features Editor
So many times we hear, read, and watch great stories of triumph, compassion, dignity, and tragedy. These stories are not brought out to just entertain but to inform.
Truly, information is power. And those who have this power have a higher calling of responsibility to insure its accuracy. And in so doing, it is the responsibility of the messenger. Thus, if care of accuracy is taken, no one can blame the messenger for the message.
On April 20, Corpus Christi hosted the 24th Annual Barbara Jordan Awards with a theme of “Let’s Play.” The event was put on by a list of sponsors including the City of Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission, WorkSource of the Coastal Bend, KIII TV 3, Goodwill Industries of South Texas, Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority, MV Transportation, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, TIBH Industries, Crystal & Glenn Lyons, Coastal Bend Center for Independent Living, Kidz Rehab Center, McTurbine Inc., South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind, Texas Paralyzed Veterans, Texas Rehab Action Network, and Whataburger Inc.
Barbara Jordan, who began serving Texans during the mid 20th century, was a champion for civil rights. She sought to end the plague of stereotypes among all Americans through knowledge passed by the avenues of media. In doing so, she found one civil stereotype yet to fight, which was that of disabilities. This is her legacy and the reason for her recognition this night.
“Old habits of expression die slowly. Today, we honor media professionals who have abandoned old and dehumanizing expressions and who have looked for and creatively portrayed the reality of persons with disabilities,” said Barbara Jordan.
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Recipients of this annual banquet event are awarded bronze medallions in honor of their efforts to bring out the reality that people with disabilities are the same people as anyone else regardless of class, creed, or ability. Next April, these awards will be held in Houston, Texas.
The awards were distributed in all aspects of journalism; Special Contributions of an Individual, Print Magazine, TV Documentary, Photojournalism, TV Entertainment, Print News Article, and TV News Feature. These awards are also available for facets of journalism regardless of size or location of the media firm.
Quotes from Barbara Jordan
"It is reason, and not passion, which must guide our deliberations, guide our debate, and guide our decision."
"There is no way that I can equate discrimination on the basis of sexual preference with discrimination on the basis of skin color."
"My faith in the Constitution is whole; it is complete; it is total. And I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction, of the Constitution."
"Don’t call for black power or green power. Call for brain power." |
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Awards Recieved
Contributions of an Individual
Mike Ferris, “Bramblitt”
Print Magazine
Erin Stafford, “Diagnosing
Mental Illness,” Texas Medicine
Magazine
TV Documentary
Grace Shafir, “Champions
on Wheels,” Dreamin’
Productions
Photojournalism
Kelly West, “A Sign of
Belonging,” Austin American
Statesman
TV Entertainment
Bob Phillips, Ryan Britt,
Dan Stricklin, “Blind Ambition,”
Phillips Productions
Print News Article
Brad Buchholz, “Joe’s
Victory,” Austin American
Statesman
TV News Feature
Sean Hamilton, Erin
Hawksworth, Arnold Payne,
“Fully Armed,” WFAA-TV Dallas
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