I have been involved in high school sports as an official for over 9 years now. Recently, the Director of Sports Officiating for UIL addressed our association on changes that are taking place in high school sports. It was imperative that our director address our association regarding the concerns we have over these changes.
He concluded his discussion by allocating time for one last question before he left for his flight. From the back a gentleman raised his arm and asked his question. The director looked perplexed and responded with, "Of all the questions you can ask, you choose to conclude this important meeting with that question. Please, somebody else ask another question."
The thoughts on my ride home reflected on the tone and mannerism that were expressed to the person that asked that question. Bottom line is that it was a poorly asked question that had little merit on the subject at hand. The director was correct on dismissing the question and demanding a more empowering question.
A few days later, I was watching the World News in the morning. At the end of every 30-minute segment, they give a few minutes to our local channel to feed us local news. I began to think back to the one question we were granted to ask. If I could ask one more question to our director what would it be? And since I was watching the news, I began to wonder - if I were to address the Valley for one minute, what would I discuss?
Those few minutes at the end of every news segment is crucial for a lot of people since we get our local weather, traffic, and bridge updates. After the updates about a minute is left for the station to address the Valley before the station goes back to national news. That morning, four consecutive stories were reported. All four stories were crime related. Somebody was arrested for this and somebody was arrested for that - that type of thing. Our local channel had the perfect opportunity to empower all of us for that one minute, instead they reported on something negative. Something that did not empower us at all.
One would be quick to blame the local station for reporting on stuff that has no value or significance in our daily lives. So why would they do it - report on criminal activities and not on informative news? I had to remind myself that these stations are in business to make money. They only sell what people are buying. It is the old supply and demand concept. They are only supplying what is demanded.
When I started this site, I was merely doing it because I wasn't getting the kind of "news" that I needed from my local media outlets. I guess the "news" I was seeking was not in large demand. So I began to explore all the beauties of the Rio Grande Valley on my own. I wanted to empower myself with knowledge and an understanding of where I have decided to reside. That is where the name myRGVguide came from. I want to extend my journal to all through www.myRGVguide.com.
We are committed to serving our site visitors by providing valuable information that will empower them by virtue of having a more understanding of the area's culture, history, events, people, and local businesses. If we are able to get one person to shop or vacation locally, we have succeeded. If we can get a family to spend a Saturday afternoon at a local park rather than staying home to watch television, then we have succeeded even more. If we can get Valleyites and visitors to explore every fabric of the Rio Grande Valley with us, then we have reached the ultimate form of success.
We are aware that the Valley is vast and complex. We will need you to make this site a true Valley guide. If you are an expert in a subject, or a historian, or a teacher, etc... please submit articles or leads for us to research. If you have the ability to empower the rest of us, please feel free to do so.
Until next time, enjoy this beautiful South Texas weather!
Editorial Column - November 09
Friday, 20 November 2009 19:53 | 
| 2009 - November |
"Empower Me!"
I have been involved in high school sports as an official for over 9 years now. Recently, the Director of Sports Officiating for UIL addressed our association on changes that are taking place in high school sports. It was imperative that our director address our association regarding the concerns we have over these changes. He concluded his discussion by allocating time for one last question before he left for his flight. From the back a gentleman raised his arm and asked his question. The director looked perplexed and responded with, "Of all the questions you can ask, you choose to conclude this important meeting with that question. Please, somebody else ask another question."
The thoughts on my ride home reflected on the tone and mannerism that were expressed to the person that asked that question. Bottom line is that it was a poorly asked question that had little merit on the subject at hand. The director was correct on dismissing the question and demanding a more empowering question.
A few days later, I was watching the World News in the morning. At the end of every 30-minute segment, they give a few minutes to our local channel to feed us local news. I began to think back to the one question we were granted to ask. If I could ask one more question to our director what would it be? And since I was watching the news, I began to wonder - if I were to address the Valley for one minute, what would I discuss?
Those few minutes at the end of every news segment is crucial for a lot of people since we get our local weather, traffic, and bridge updates. After the updates about a minute is left for the station to address the Valley before the station goes back to national news. That morning, four consecutive stories were reported. All four stories were crime related. Somebody was arrested for this and somebody was arrested for that - that type of thing. Our local channel had the perfect opportunity to empower all of us for that one minute, instead they reported on something negative. Something that did not empower us at all.
One would be quick to blame the local station for reporting on stuff that has no value or significance in our daily lives. So why would they do it - report on criminal activities and not on informative news? I had to remind myself that these stations are in business to make money. They only sell what people are buying. It is the old supply and demand concept. They are only supplying what is demanded.
When I started this site, I was merely doing it because I wasn't getting the kind of "news" that I needed from my local media outlets. I guess the "news" I was seeking was not in large demand. So I began to explore all the beauties of the Rio Grande Valley on my own. I wanted to empower myself with knowledge and an understanding of where I have decided to reside. That is where the name myRGVguide came from. I want to extend my journal to all through www.myRGVguide.com.
We are committed to serving our site visitors by providing valuable information that will empower them by virtue of having a more understanding of the area's culture, history, events, people, and local businesses. If we are able to get one person to shop or vacation locally, we have succeeded. If we can get a family to spend a Saturday afternoon at a local park rather than staying home to watch television, then we have succeeded even more. If we can get Valleyites and visitors to explore every fabric of the Rio Grande Valley with us, then we have reached the ultimate form of success.
We are aware that the Valley is vast and complex. We will need you to make this site a true Valley guide. If you are an expert in a subject, or a historian, or a teacher, etc... please submit articles or leads for us to research. If you have the ability to empower the rest of us, please feel free to do so.
Until next time, enjoy this beautiful South Texas weather!
Last Updated (Friday, 20 November 2009 20:42)
