Mostly people make distance between themselves and unknown things to them. Normal and almost instinctive reaction. We rather accept familiar things than those new. We even think of some as a taboo.
But reading stories of other ordinary people from countries on the other side of the Planet, countries that you don’t know well enough, will probably reduce resistance because you’ll see similar problems like yours. You’ll see similar news, events and lives.
Of course, you’ll see all those specific stuff which are characteristic for every nation in the world. That’s their tradition, customs and habits.
And during the period of time while we learn something new about some country we find it closer and easier to understand.
It’s no longer distant and mysterious, maybe even dangerous because we have heard some horrific stories on some TV headlines.
We put faces on those people, see their smiles and tears, see them talk and walk like we do, how they pray and work.
And there is that thought.
We are one people of one World.
So I believe that there is a way to get closer.
Considering how citizen journalism has many new members and ordinary journalists who share their ordinary sincere stories, I can see how people really get closer. Citizens who learn and find new ways to speak. Thanks to new technology they get heard. Their news become important.
Because instead of a fake affected smile of some famous or partially famous journalist you see true emotion. You feel tears and horror of Haiti victims, laugh from your heart when something good is done and stay mute over some tragedy.
True emotions. Live. Raw.
I suppose that’s the way.
When we start to feel again and sympathize with real people like ourselves.
Yes, they are not trained professionals and yes, maybe their hands shake while they try to catch some video. And it’s not perfect. But that’s the whole point.
For us to accept that life is a collection of simple, everyday, small and ordinary things.

Tags: Citizen journalism, citizen journalists, citizens, world