Writer's response to student's criticism
Natasha Cline
Last week I wrote an article for the Concordian on the history of Thanksgiving. There were many interesting facts to be found out about the subject, much of which I was not aware of. But that’s beside the point this week. After the paper had already gone to press, with little to do about it, I realized an error in what I had typed, and then it was continually brought to my attention throughout the week.
Some of you were very kind and considerate of the error, after all, we are all human and it’s quite easy to make a mistake. Others, however, were extremely critical and had a “holier than thou” attitude towards me as a person.
Making remarks towards my writing is one thing; I don’t claim to be good at it. I am a math major. But attacking me as a person is another matter completely and it’s uncalled for.
It seems all too often people are quick to attack the person who made the mistake rather than the mistake itself. I would much rather someone attack what I have written than attack me personally. If you have a problem with our newspaper, don’t throw *mud* at us, come help. The office is always open to new faces, new voices, and new writers.
As for my article on Thanksgiving, I don’t know if I had my head in the clouds or just wasn’t paying attention to what I was typing but President Abraham Lincoln made his Thanksgiving declaration in the 1860’s. I am not sure what particular year it was since the History Channel website merely states that it was in the 1860’s (obviously before April 14th, 1865) but I am well aware of the fact that it was not 1916 as I had accidentally typed in my article twice.
If anyone is interested, the date 1916 was when the Salvation Army started something called “Boozers Day.” But it doesn’t mean what one may think. Even back in 1916 the Salvation Army would hold annual food drives for Thanksgiving and in the year 1916 they asked workers to give up alcohol for a few hours on Thanksgiving to help distribute the foods and goods to needy families. “The head of
Aside from that tidbit of Thanksgiving information from 1916 I am not sure why I typed the date into my article. As I said, my head may have been in the clouds. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I carry five (six if you count the newspaper, and I do) classes on Mondays and then head to work. I’m unsure. I had to finish the article that day and have it submitted. Sometimes when you’re in a hurry or are extremely stressed errors are made.
I don’t know, but it’s not really an excuse. I do apologize for the error and hope that even though I did make a mistake that the rest of the article was as fun and informative for you as it was for me writing it. I also hope my mistake is forgiven. One semester doesn’t make for perfection.
Several hours of research were poured into the article and it was one of my favorite pieces of the year. Roll your eyes if you wish, I understand I made a mistake, but I am not so self-righteous as to refuse to admit it. Again I apologize for the error. If anyone is still in doubt about the credibility of the rest of the article check out the History Channels website for information on the holiday or any others you like. If the History Channel can stand by it, so can I.
Other than that, it’s been a great year
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