During the next 30 days, you’re going to be reading, hearing and seeing a great deal of information about the tragedy that took place 50 years ago and changed Dallas forever. Some folks are already worn out from all the articles and new stories that have already been published and on air. But let’s all take a deep breath and realize that only a small percentage of people is left that were living in Dallas when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. An even smaller number were personally involved in the event that dramatically changed our country’s and the North Texas area’s future.
The upcoming November 22 anniversary may be the last time that such an opportunity will be available to examine those days in Dallas.
There’s the commemoration ceremony on November 22, the “Dream No Small Dreams” exhibition at Old Red Museum, the “Understanding Tragedy: the Impact of the JFK Assassination on Dallas” symposium and so many others.
One that is of interest especially for media types is being sponsored by the Ochberg Society’s “Trauma Journalism in Three Acts” on Friday, November 1, at The Sixth Floor Museum. Former Dallas journalist/national TV anchor Jim Lehrer will talk about his new book, “Top Down: A Novel of the Kennedy Assassination.”
Whoa! What’s that? What is trauma journalism? When journalists cover such events as assassinations, Katrina, school shootings, 9/11, the Mideast conflicts or other disasters, trauma results for both those affected by the incident and the reporters and photographers assigned to cover the events.
In the early 1970’s the late photographer Andy Hanson worked at The Dallas Times Herald. A call came in about a mass murder just outside of Houston. Since he was the only photographer available in the newsroom, he was immediately dispatched to the scene. The assignment ended up taking days to cover. It involved the discovery of 27 boys killed and buried in lime by Dean Corll. Upon his return to Dallas, Andy burned the clothes that he had worn during those days in Houston.
One photographer who was assigned to cover Waco’s Branch Davidians ordeal turned in his resignation the day after the 51-day siege ended. Yes, he was objective and professional in covering the event, but he couldn’t shake the personal involvement that he had for the lives that were lost.
Over the years, The Ochberg Society has advanced “the compassionate and ethical coverage of trauma, conflict and social injustice.”
During Katrina there were journalists who lost their homes and yet kept reporting the crisis without thinking of their own losses.
But back to the November 1st event. It should be a fascinating presentation by Lehrer discussing the “story of two men haunted by the events leading up to the John F. Kennedy assassination.” One is a young newspaper reporter and the other a Secret Service agent.
As one group described the book, “A page-turning historical novel with the beating heart of a thriller, Top Down could only have sprung from the fertile imagination of Jim Lehrer. Drawing on his own experience as an eyewitness to the events described, one of America’s most respected journalists has crafted an engrossing story out of the emotional aftershocks of a national tragedy.”
BTW, there will be an auction for a signed and matted print of Times Herald photographer Bob Jackson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of Jack Ruby shooting Lee Harvey Oswald.
The event is by invitation only, but if you ask, they’ll invite you. In return the society is asking for a $100 donation, but the experience of hearing the veteran newsman discuss his novel should be well worth it.
Rebecca Young says
Jeanne, The beautiful photo of Andy Hansen just stopped me in my tracks. He was an exceptional photographer and a true friend to every arts professional who was lucky enough to work with him.