Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.
Once upon a time, I was a stubborn know-it-all. Now I’m a stubborn know-it-all who writes for The Collegian. Don’t let your talents go to waste.
A year ago, give or take a month and change, I went into this writing gig firmly believing I’d cover heartfelt stories or breaking news around Fort Collins. Despite my cynicism and knack for disturbing idea pitches — which, I’ve since come to realize, are two nonnegotiables of the opinion desk — I thought I wanted to do supposedly important things.
Excuse my language, but that was bullshit. Pure, absolute bullshit. Back then, I thought the opinion desk was unimportant in comparison to news or life and culture simply because opinions have inherent bias, and bias in journalism is bad.
“All forms of writing — including columns — are important simply because I enjoy writing them.”
We could go back and forth on whether the material I produce should even be classified as journalism; who knows if I’m serving the community by writing about abstinent frats or picky eaters. But in the year that has passed, regardless of the social legitimacy my work holds, I have loved writing for this desk.
The whiplash of producing raunchy satire one week and provoking columns the next feels creatively intoxicating. I’ll be on a walk, taking out the trash or even on the toilet and think of an idea that makes me Slack Dominique Lopez immediately, and she somehow always says yes, and I am astonishedly grateful.
Juggling this commitment sounds like a lot of writing, especially smushed between journalism, composition and creative writing classes. But the type of work I’ve done here — in just a year! I’m not even done! — is so unique from everything else that it often feels like a reward.
Beyond strengthening my writing, time management and communication skills, this experience has completely dismantled my concept of important writing. All forms of writing — including columns — are important simply because I enjoy writing them. Although what I create here might not be of imminent social or political relevance, I love knowing that my work provides a break from the everyday heaviness of people’s routines. That is what makes it important.
And even if a percentage of my journalistic credibility is compromised by the satire I produce, at least I know that I can make people lose their shit and regain it within a page’s difference. Specialization is great, but versatility is a tool. The opinion desk not only encourages versatility but thrives off of it.
I’m going into this academic year proud of what I’ve written here and excited to write more. I’d say prepare yourself, but I don’t think any preparation could save you from the weekly atrocities I’m about to commit. Stay tuned!
Reach Emma Souza at letters@collegian.com or on Twitter @_emmasouza.
