On September 30, 2013, students at the University of Kentucky had the privilege of hearing internationally acclaimed journalist Anderson Cooper speak in a moderated discussion. Sponsored by the University of Kentucky Students Activities Board, the event was held in Lexington’s Memorial Coliseum. One of my favorite television personalities, Cooper’s frank discussion of journalism was sobering as he recounted his personal experiences across the globe. His career has taken him throughout the United States and beyond where Cooper has gone uncover to report on injustices of the working class, victims of war and much more. Cooper expressed his motivation succinctly: “History remembers the name of the killer…not the victim.” Cooper’s journalistic goals include sharing the stories of survivors and victims deserving of justice and empathy. His recent experiences in Syria, literally on the front lines of conflict, included stories that were brutally honest and he refused to tip toe around sensitive topics that shouldn’t be trivial to discuss in the media. He explained, “People don’t deserve to die in silence on the side of the road.” He followed with an poetic expression regarding the human need for compassion and honest, reliable news broadcasts: “The human race is dangling on a thread and that thread is as thin as the wall of the human heart.” Thus, Cooper’s discussion provided valuable commentary for all members of the audience, not simply the individuals who are pursuing a career in journalism.
When asked about his recent, public coming out, Cooper explained that he is “not trying to push any agenda” by announcing that he is a gay man. Cooper’s openness towards the media and public admission and discussion of his sexuality has generated a tremendous response from the LGBTQA community of the United States, especially those individuals seeking a voice in the media. Although sexuality is a very personal component of an individual, Cooper’s gayness does not “interfere” with his reporting as some may argue but the public knowledge of it does make headway for the community of individuals yet to come out, whether they are in the public eye or not.
The night ended on a relatively light note: Cooper discussed a recent interview for 60 Minutes during which he had the privilege of speaking with Lady Gaga. He explained that this was quite an enlightening experience and shared that he is “not much of a drinker.” Cooper also said that, because he was in Kentucky, “If I had had bourbon before tonight, I would be on the floor.” The personal connection to the state and others drawn throughout the discussion generated a sense of comfort and ease in the room and it truly felt like an intimate conversation with Anderson Cooper though he was truly only conversing with the moderator. In sum, Anderson Cooper’s presentation was truly one of the best I have been able to attend thus far during college and I must applaud SAB for producing this special evening for many students across campus. Love you always, Silver Fox.
