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Surrogate Siblings Adrienne and Zack |
Zack: Once again, Adrienne, we find ourselves in front of a blinding computer screen, desperately racing to meet our deadline. It's hard to believe we've been doing this fЀor one year, and what a year it has been.
Adrienne: Zack. You're babbling again. Get to the point.
Z: I'm not babbling. I find it hard to believe that one year has passed. More precisely, it is hard to imagine how much has happened since we began our jobs as editorial page editors last January.
A: Specifics.
Z: Well, we began this journey with an editorial called "The next generation." In it, we wrote about the importance of the student voice.
A: The voice of our generation is a lot different from those of our parents. See all those funny windows in the Fleming Building? No, they are not the consequence of a really tacky architect. The regents were scared of our parents. We're not such a rowdy group. We have to find ways other than protest to structure our ideals and hold onto them. So our expression takes a different form as well.
Z: And, as you'll recall, we have advocated the power of the press as one suitable way to create an important dialogue. Our first edit said, "Student concerns are the highest priority of this page. For this reason, we reserve a space for your letters and viewpoints. Tell us when we're wrong and when we're right. Tell us something we don't know. But tell us." And boy, Adrienne, did they tell us.
A: They told us until Godzilla told me no one could tell us anymore. Every time I opened my inbox, I saw 30 messages.
Z: Don't forget about all those viewpoints. Students really cared about many issues from the presidential search to minority enrollment to national politics.
A: But they didn't always agree with us. Not at all.
Z: I think this was most evident on that fateful spring afternoon this past April when more than 250 students protested in front of the Daily. Many students were angry at the Daily and thought us to be racist - both in our news coverage and editorial commentary.
A: Remember, we sat in the bat cave and watched? My stomach was in knots. Still, I'd rather know than not. I'd rather they tell us, no matter how uncomfortable it make us.
Z: That day served as an important reminder to me and my colleagues. It showed us that the Daily has an important presence in this community. Whether you love it or hate it, what the Daily writes and reports matters.
A: Agreed. I haven't been here all 106 years or anything, but Daily tradition has been impressed upon me since I walked into the building.
Z: Hey, you're using passive voice.
A: Sorry. Do you think anyone's going to read this column?
Z: I will.
A: I'll be too hung over.
Z: Well, you won't be much different from many of our predecessors.
A: Perhaps we should enlighten our very confused audience?
Z: Every January, the outgoing editors of the paper work together to put out the final edition. During this nightside (and before everyone is totally inebriated), the editors gather in the Daily's attic to look through momentos and messages that previous editors left in their journeys upstairs.
A: It's sort of a time capsule. We tiptoe into this cold and sacred space of our predecessors. And we bring the intangible back down with us. EEM, we left you something. Some things.
Z: It was a fascinating look back at the paper's remarkable tradition.
A: (Zack was mostly fascinated with the fear of falling through.) These artifacts are like words from the past.
Z: In a strange, Hillary Clinton-esque way, I felt like I was communicating with people from the past; I respect all of these people.
A: I've learned a tremendous amount from all the editorial page editors with whom I've worked. From Steve, I gained a perspective on past Dailys. From Flint and Sam, I got the fight and the talent. From James and Julie, the logic and the skills. From Zack, the unending support and inspiration. From Erin, hope for the future.
Z: That's very touching, Adrienne, but we've got work to do here.
A: (Sigh.) I'm just not drunk enough to write this column. Sorry, Sam. You probably haven't made it this far.
Z: Adrienne, you bring up a good point, despite your comments about alcohol. The Daily is a laboratory for learning. Students teach students and we all grow together.
You specifically have taught me a lot - about writing, editing and humanity. I appreciate it.
A: You're a prude, but I love you anyway.
Z: Jerk.
A: Creep.
- That's all folks. But keep reading - and keep writing the Daily.