By By: KATELYN FIRESTEIN
Editor-in-Chief
karfires@iu.edu
The older I get, the more I realize how powerful words can be. I guess that is why I’m a Communication Studies major, and now the soon-to-be Editor-in-Chief for The Preface.
When I was younger, my favorite television show was “Charmed.” This was probably not the most appropriate choice for someone who should’ve primarily been watching Disney Channel and Nickelodeon. Don’t get me wrong, I loved “High School Musical” and “Hannah Montana” as much as the next kid, but my taste varied widely. I’ve always been a bit mature for my age.
Something I was drawn to in the series was the occupation of one of the main characters, oddly enough. You’d think my 10-year old self would be more impressed with the magic, but I was equally interested in Phoebe Halliwell’s position as an advice columnist at “The Bay Mirror.”
As I got older, I grew passions for music, literature, and other sources of various compilations of words. Beginning in high school, I started keeping a quote journal, in which I hold onto my favorite lyrics, poems, and quotes from books, television shows, etc.
The common theme here, again, is words. I think words are highly underrated. Famous politicians and activists change lives with their words. Rosa Parks marked history by verbally refusing to give up her seat on a bus. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech will live on forever. Rosie the Riveter’s catch phrase, “We Can Do It” is a champion motto in the eyes of feminists everywhere.
I don’t mean to sound cocky and I’m not trying to compare myself to these historical figures. Rather, I’m trying to make the point that words can literally change history and have a tremendous impact. And if I can be even a small part of that, I would be honored.
Writing down my thoughts has always been a tool for me to navigate through my life. Writing helps me process, and when I write something well, I have the hope of it making an impact on those who read it.
That is my goal for my year as Editor-in-Chief. I want IU South Bend students and faculty to benefit from the words we write. I hope to make my year as Editor meaningful, and be a voice for our community members here at IU South Bend.
