Ugh. I want to address the part of this story that falsely casts me as a victim of Sherrods career who is unemployed and unemployable in my profession. In 2011, I left The Plain Dealer. I did not leave journalism, nor did I stop writing about politics. I still write my nationally syndicated column for Creators Syndicate every week (creators/liberal/connie-schultz.html), and theyre often just brimming with politics. I still write for PARADE, too (parade.condenast/member/connieschultz/). I’m also in the thick of writing my third book, which is a novel. Speaking of books, I write reviews, too, including this recent one for the Washington Post (tinyurl/lzmm4ml). Its about Jo Beckers Forcing the Spring, which chronicles a fight for marriage equality. (Hint: Its political.) Earlier this month, I gave the keynote at the Molly Journalism Awards, named for the late columnist Molly Ivins. Tomorrow, I’m giving a speech to the conference for the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. I don’t need to tell anyone here on Facebook how often I’m offering my opinion for free. Heres another opportunity to thank you for making this such a lively community. Its embarrassing to list so much of what Im doing professionally. It feels self-promotional and immodest. So not Midwestern-y. However, it feels worse to be depicted in a national publication as collateral damage in my husbands career. I admit to occasional weariness in having to refute tired stereotypes, but to quote a gentle reprimand from my book editor Kate Medina at Random House, theres no whining on this yacht. I am lucky to make a living as a writer, and blessed to be married to a man who lives his values every day and still leaves love notes on my pillow. Ive spent a lot of years encouraging women to speak up for themselves. Right now Im experiencing the discomfort that sometimes comes with following my own advice. Well, there it is. I wouldnt have it any other way. Once again, Lucille Clifton’s wise words drive me: What they call you is one thing. What you answer to is something else.
Posted on: Thu, 26 Jun 2014 19:48:15 +0000