Comments on: Nuns: Crime Fighters Edition http://anunslife.org/2009/08/15/nuns-crime-fighters-edition/ Catholic Sisters and Nuns in Today's World Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:58:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Elizabeth http://anunslife.org/2009/08/15/nuns-crime-fighters-edition/#comment-41482 Elizabeth Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:03:15 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=3502#comment-41482 I can understand your frustration with the media in general and this article in specific. However, nuns are hardly the only ones who have this kind of cliche filled, stereotype ridden media attention. It happens with other religious groups too. Try to find an article about Pagan or non-Abrahamic spiritualities without a reference to sacrifices or "strange" practices (like praying or gathering in a community). It's not that they are nuns... it's that media plays to the lowest common denominator and, unfortunately, that means plenty of ignorance and half-filled truths... I can understand your frustration with the media in general and this article in specific. However, nuns are hardly the only ones who have this kind of cliche filled, stereotype ridden media attention. It happens with other religious groups too. Try to find an article about Pagan or non-Abrahamic spiritualities without a reference to sacrifices or “strange” practices (like praying or gathering in a community). It’s not that they are nuns… it’s that media plays to the lowest common denominator and, unfortunately, that means plenty of ignorance and half-filled truths…

]]> By: lourdesgirl101 http://anunslife.org/2009/08/15/nuns-crime-fighters-edition/#comment-41191 lourdesgirl101 Sun, 16 Aug 2009 14:45:29 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=3502#comment-41191 Your welcome, Sister Julie. I just happened to be on CNN's website and saw it. I thought you might like it. I think the one sister made a point. We should pray for the robbers(and others) so that they will stop. It might just help the world make a better place... even if it's just a little bit. Your welcome, Sister Julie. I just happened to be on CNN’s website and saw it. I thought you might like it.

I think the one sister made a point. We should pray for the robbers(and others) so that they will stop. It might just help the world make a better place… even if it’s just a little bit.

]]> By: jean http://anunslife.org/2009/08/15/nuns-crime-fighters-edition/#comment-41147 jean Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:06:39 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=3502#comment-41147 Sister Julie - I saw a news report on this in which the interviewer, beaming in what seemed to me an overwrought (and, as you say, cartoonish) way at Sisters Catarina and Connie, asked "Do believe you will be able to forgive him?" When the older of the two sisters said, "We do not feel there is anything to forgive" (after all, he did not harm them or intend to harm them), I found myself sighing in relief that Srs Catarina and Connie refused to be cornered into helping the media create a caricature of themselves. A peaceful response, which is how I would summarize the sisters' behavior in this situation, is not necessarily the same as "forgiving someone", and I was glad the Sisters did not let themselves get trapped into a subtle and implicit statement that they had been wronged by this young man, thus laying the ground for a string of articles demonizing the fellow as a man so dastardly and depraved that he threatened two sweet and innocent virgin-nuns (thereby selling endless and profitable newspapers and magazines and television news hours). They did not let themselves be cast as "good" to his "bad"; they did not let themselves be cast as judge and jury, not even as lenient judge and jury; they did not let themseves be as sweet and gentle crocheting virgin-nuns who had to rise to the occasion because they have sacrificed the protection of men and, thus, they had to say a "Hail Mary" and defy death and the devil. They did not contribute to alarmist nonsense about youth in America or guns or or or or. They responded as peaceful and compassionate neighbors who understand that life and humans are complex. And I love that. Makes me want to be a nun. Jean Sister Julie – I saw a news report on this in which the interviewer, beaming in what seemed to me an overwrought (and, as you say, cartoonish) way at Sisters Catarina and Connie, asked “Do believe you will be able to forgive him?” When the older of the two sisters said, “We do not feel there is anything to forgive” (after all, he did not harm them or intend to harm them), I found myself sighing in relief that Srs Catarina and Connie refused to be cornered into helping the media create a caricature of themselves.

A peaceful response, which is how I would summarize the sisters’ behavior in this situation, is not necessarily the same as “forgiving someone”, and I was glad the Sisters did not let themselves get trapped into a subtle and implicit statement that they had been wronged by this young man, thus laying the ground for a string of articles demonizing the fellow as a man so dastardly and depraved that he threatened two sweet and innocent virgin-nuns (thereby selling endless and profitable newspapers and magazines and television news hours). They did not let themselves be cast as “good” to his “bad”; they did not let themselves be cast as judge and jury, not even as lenient judge and jury; they did not let themseves be as sweet and gentle crocheting virgin-nuns who had to rise to the occasion because they have sacrificed the protection of men and, thus, they had to say a “Hail Mary” and defy death and the devil. They did not contribute to alarmist nonsense about youth in America or guns or or or or. They responded as peaceful and compassionate neighbors who understand that life and humans are complex. And I love that. Makes me want to be a nun. Jean

]]> By: Peggy http://anunslife.org/2009/08/15/nuns-crime-fighters-edition/#comment-41116 Peggy Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:08:42 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=3502#comment-41116 Julie, you've obviously noticed the number of articles about sisters that do NOT mention the community (as if they are all interchangeable)--as well as those stories illustrated by generic cartoons of habited caricatures (even when the sisters being written about don't wear a habit). It's frustrating, and perpetuates the notion that sisters are somehow entirely homogeneous and without personality. Thanks for pointing this out here! Julie, you’ve obviously noticed the number of articles about sisters that do NOT mention the community (as if they are all interchangeable)–as well as those stories illustrated by generic cartoons of habited caricatures (even when the sisters being written about don’t wear a habit). It’s frustrating, and perpetuates the notion that sisters are somehow entirely homogeneous and without personality. Thanks for pointing this out here!

]]> By: Sister Julie http://anunslife.org/2009/08/15/nuns-crime-fighters-edition/#comment-41105 Sister Julie Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:44:44 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=3502#comment-41105 That's good to hear, Annette. I too find some do a good job ... like the ones who gave the full name and congregation of both sisters and who quoted them about their concern for the young man. That’s good to hear, Annette. I too find some do a good job … like the ones who gave the full name and congregation of both sisters and who quoted them about their concern for the young man.

]]> By: Annette R. http://anunslife.org/2009/08/15/nuns-crime-fighters-edition/#comment-41103 Annette R. Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:41:28 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=3502#comment-41103 I did see an article on this a few days ago. I skimed it only-it seemed alright and mentioned the nuns names and seemed respectful towards the nuns. A local reporter rewrites those stories sometimes and w/her Italian name I suspect atleast catholic roots. This may be why I feel this type of reporting is usually respectful here. I did see an article on this a few days ago. I skimed it only-it seemed alright and mentioned the nuns names and seemed respectful towards the nuns. A local reporter rewrites those stories sometimes and w/her Italian name I suspect atleast catholic roots. This may be why I feel this type of reporting is usually respectful here.

]]> By: linda http://anunslife.org/2009/08/15/nuns-crime-fighters-edition/#comment-41100 linda Sat, 15 Aug 2009 15:55:47 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=3502#comment-41100 you are a good reporter. teasing out the real stoory...the sarcastic and belittling tone. thank you! you are a good reporter. teasing out the real stoory…the sarcastic and belittling tone. thank you!

]]> By: Sister Julie http://anunslife.org/2009/08/15/nuns-crime-fighters-edition/#comment-41095 Sister Julie Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:52:34 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=3502#comment-41095 Hi Annie, Thanks for writing in. The sentences themselves are not offensive per se, just examples of over-used, roll-your-eyes nun cliches. It's how the whole piece is written. Some articles didn't even name "the nuns" and the significance of the event was lost in the cliches. I understand having such ledes and have seen them well-used. And as a writer, I have to make use of clever writing at the top of an article in order to grab readers' attention. But I think such ledes can be misleading (so to speak) especially if the whole article is devoted to being clever while undervaluing the people written about and important aspects of the story such as, as you noted, the sisters' concern and prayer for the robber. That to me is good news (again, so to speak). I do agree with you and at the same time I think we can do better. Will think on your suggestion about writing freelance articles. It's a good idea and one way to take a positive step in regard to media. Hi Annie, Thanks for writing in. The sentences themselves are not offensive per se, just examples of over-used, roll-your-eyes nun cliches. It’s how the whole piece is written. Some articles didn’t even name “the nuns” and the significance of the event was lost in the cliches. I understand having such ledes and have seen them well-used. And as a writer, I have to make use of clever writing at the top of an article in order to grab readers’ attention. But I think such ledes can be misleading (so to speak) especially if the whole article is devoted to being clever while undervaluing the people written about and important aspects of the story such as, as you noted, the sisters’ concern and prayer for the robber. That to me is good news (again, so to speak). I do agree with you and at the same time I think we can do better. Will think on your suggestion about writing freelance articles. It’s a good idea and one way to take a positive step in regard to media.

]]> By: Annie http://anunslife.org/2009/08/15/nuns-crime-fighters-edition/#comment-41094 Annie Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:37:44 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=3502#comment-41094 Maybe because I am not a nun, I did not find anything offensive in the sentences you quote. If you read newspapers regularly, you will often find these kind of ledes in "human interest" stories. These are written to meet a deadline and to fill limited space. That is, they are throwaways. You are right: the real story is in the sisters' concern and prayer for the robber, and I hope someone will take the time and write a more thoughtful story about their mission. In our newspaper, "The Boston Globe," there is a special section, updated daily, including news and stories about local faith communities. You are doing such a great job of educating the internet community about the life of a nun, you might consider writing a freelance article for your newspaper about your nuns. Once accepted, these articles are kept on hand until there is space to print them. Maybe because I am not a nun, I did not find anything offensive in the sentences you quote. If you read newspapers regularly, you will often find these kind of ledes in “human interest” stories. These are written to meet a deadline and to fill limited space. That is, they are throwaways. You are right: the real story is in the sisters’ concern and prayer for the robber, and I hope someone will take the time and write a more thoughtful story about their mission. In our newspaper, “The Boston Globe,” there is a special section, updated daily, including news and stories about local faith communities. You are doing such a great job of educating the internet community about the life of a nun, you might consider writing a freelance article for your newspaper about your nuns. Once accepted, these articles are kept on hand until there is space to print them.

]]> By: Sister Julie http://anunslife.org/2009/08/15/nuns-crime-fighters-edition/#comment-41086 Sister Julie Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:56:59 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=3502#comment-41086 My thanks to <a href="http://anunslife.org/2009/08/13/can-nuns-swim/comment-page-1/#comment-40831" rel="nofollow">lourdesgirl101</a> for first bringing this to my attention and to <a href="http://anunslife.org/2009/08/13/can-nuns-swim/comment-page-1/#comment-40951" rel="nofollow">Sister Gayle</a> for her initial comments on the story which got me thinking. My thanks to lourdesgirl101 for first bringing this to my attention and to Sister Gayle for her initial comments on the story which got me thinking.

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