I know my style of journalism isn’t what many of you are used to. It’s OK. I never lied about who I am, what my limitations are or my motivations. I’m a highly opinionated reporter.
If you don’t like it, there are plenty of folks you can follow who fit your tastes.
I know many of you just discovered me, but I’ve developed deep, very personal ties to this country and you’ll see every bit of that in my journalism. I don’t believe in “objective” journalism because it doesn’t exist. I’m as fair and open about my work as I can be.
You’ll never get so-called “objectivity” from me. What you will get is fair, compassionate reporting that reveals how much I deeply love this place. You will feel every emotion I’m experiencing as I report here. I live here. I didn’t helicopter in like everyone else.
When the big MSM leave and the war porn analysts move on to other conflicts, I’ll still be in Ukraine promoting this country. You see my raw emotions because this is my part-time home. And it hurts that my home is being harmed like this.
I want you to see this in my reporting.
I’ve always been a voicy reporter because they style works for ME. I’m my best when I’m passionate. I won’t apologize for developing my own style that people are drawn to. It truly puzzles me how much people despise me when I’ve gotten to where I am without much help.
Just a few years ago, many gatekeepers thought I was a joke. I bypassed the gatekeepers and developed my own style and created my own opportunities. So those who don’t like me don’t like me because I’ve prevailed despite of them.
You’ll just have to be salty and jealous.
I grew up in a drug house in Detroit and suffered all kinds of abuse as a teen that would’ve broken most oh my Ivy League, upper middle class detractors.
There’s nothing wrong with my reporting style. You just wish you were as talented as me but are mad because you aren’t.
That’s my problem. That’s yours.
I just you’d get a life, stop badgering and play in someone’s mentions whose style you like. Hit that unfollow button.
As my granny says when she’s tired of something: “This ain’t slavery. I can walk away.”
Please, walk away.
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I’m with @AndriyKyiv who is helping Ukrainian refugees reach an EU border that’ll accept them inside their countries. Meet Yulia, her 9-year-old twins Polina and Milana, and her aunt, Svitlana. It took nearly 2 days to get them to safety. Here’s what it took to make it happen.
First, this family is EXTREMELY traumatized and had anxiety levels I’ve never seen in a human being. Before Andriy picked them up, the family was in their basement for 3 days taking cover from air strikes like everyone else. They’d only emerge when Andriy picked them up.
One thing I’m learning to do is ignore haters. All of the success I’m having came from years of hard work. I grew up dirt poor in Detroit. No one gave me anything. I never was jealous of others success so it’s odd when people take shots at mine.
I’ll have to get used to this.
I think what makes people jealous of me is that I didn’t get to where I am through the traditional gatekeepers and I kissed no rings (or asses) to get the support I have.
But I truly don’t understand how people can hate on folks like me who never asked anyone for anything.
Y’all know me.
I stick with I myself and don’t say anything about anybody. That folks would be so bothered by the support I’m getting is really a reflection on THEM and not ME.
If you are a TV/Radio producer who is asking an independent reporter in a war zone to broadcast free for you (ME), you need to pay attention to this thread because I hope it will help you help others.
Let's discusss scheduling hit times. Prioritize reporters' safety first!
For starters, I have a selfie stick, not a 10K camera with a crew and body guard. I am in extremely hostile areas where I must focus on my surroundings. If it is dark, I have light which makes me a sitting duck, easy target. Please make the SPECIFIC TIME. Don't make me wait.
The longer I am waiting, the more of a target I am. Some producers have put me in that situation. Obviously, unintentional, but I think it also is because I am freelance and I am not their priority. Anyway, I just won't do their shows anymore.
I’m at a checkpoint outside of the city where a civilian group is checking all vehicles—including military—for saboteurs. There are reports of them shooting at checkpoints, keep these civilian military groups on edge.
Some of the professions of the men holding government-issued weapons at this checkpoint: shoe maker, museum director, language teacher.
Air raid sirens are going off. This is usually the time civilians are taking cover. Not these volunteer military units. They are staying put at this checkpoint in the pitch dark, at the ready, protecting Ukraine.