Homeland team members have spent a lot of time in the St. Louis community asking people about immigration—people in Forest Park, people in the skate park, people at work, people out of work, immigrants themselves, and immigration experts. Most have enlightened us, many have corrected us, some have yelled at us, while others have praised the work we’re doing.
But no matter how many people we talk to or how much the Homeland initiative has changed since the beginning, we still believe that our work is not simply about immigration, but about creating dialogue around an important issue in a way that is difficult to find in media today. And even some of the people who have yelled at us will agree—the media is often polarizing and divisive on the issue of immigration.
A recent online poll by TIME magazine found Jon Stewart to be America’s “most trusted newscaster” in the wake of Walter Cronkite’s death. What is especially interesting is that Stewart was able to pull at least second place in every state except for one…Vermont. Some critics believe this is because Stewart was the lone comic relief, as the other choices were all network news anchors.
I have my own theory based on what my Homeland colleagues and I have been hearing. Many members of the community are sick and tired of clashing sound bites, constant vitriol, and the acknowledgment of only two sides. Shows like The Colbert Report and The Daily Show exist because there was a need for a source that could counteract the way news is being covered today.
Although we’re using community engagement rather than humor, ultimately we, like The Daily Show, are hoping to accomplish a thoughtful dialogue around important issues in our community, like immigration.
So, naturally, when we heard that there was a bus-full of St. Louisans attending Colbert and Stewart’s ‘ ‘Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear’, An opportunity to travel 847 miles each way and spend a total of 30 hours in close quarters with 52 other people, when no one has had an opportunity to sleep or shower? Yes, but…
For us this is an opportunity to document and explore why everyone else on the bus is willing to take on this grueling trip. To me it seems that they feel it’s important to stand behind the men who not only make them laugh, but stand up for the people’s right to be informed and engaged. Using immigration as our key issue, we will be there for every step of the journey and I expect, as usual, there will be enlightenment, excitement…and of course yelling (from me, mostly because I truly love my sleep).
The plan for now is for Kate Shaw, our online producer, and me to make the journey while sending back video, Facebook, Twitter, and blog content along the way in real time. But we’re wondering exactly how you think we should cover the bus ride and the actual event. What do you want to hear about? Do you think we’re a little bit crazy for going? I know I do…but we want to hear from you!
We have been debating going to the Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert rally - some media organizations have banned their staff.
Here is how we are talking about this.
