Through The Eyes of Someone with Respect and Love by Darrah J. Perez

 When I hear about journalism, I think about why I choose to be involved in the stories from my area. I am from the Wind River Indian Reservation, and back on February 15^th 2013, a New York Journalist by the name of Robert Johnson wrote an article published in The Business Insider called, Here’s What Life Is Like On the Notorious Wind River Indian Reservation. This article struck home for me, because it was written with little fact and so much lies. I totally disagreed with his label of where I lived. I remember reading it to my grandmother; a full-blooded Arapaho who is no longer here. I can still hear her voice saying in a sad gesture, “Why would this reporter say these things about us?” I replied, “I don’t know grandma.” I saw the tears in her eyes and I could feel the tears in my own. With so much love, I just wanted to wipe it all away and make it better.

Click link to read: Here’s What Life Is Like On The Notorious Wind River Reservation. http://www.businessinsider.com/wind-river-indian-reservation-in-wyoming-2013-2

Ever since reading this article, I knew I had a calling. I knew I had to tell the stories from the people themselves. I’ve lived in areas outside the reservation, outside of Wyoming, where things are 10x as bad. I had to show the world that the Native people of the Wind River Indian Reservation are so much cultured, full of pride and love. I was upset that a total stranger could come onto our reservation and place judgement upon us. I learned later on that he is not the only one. My passion, heart, and pride come from this very article.

I applied to be a Community Maven with County 10 news, focusing on the positive stories from the Wind River Indian Reservation. By doing this, many have grown grateful from both the reservation, on and off. They are glad I tell the stories through the eyes of someone with respect and love. To them I am a true journalist. To them, they are the reason I keep writing. My stories are for them.

I write because it has purpose, it has meaning. Everything happens for a reason. I sit back and vision on what I want to do next. If it involves my passion for film, it would be my greatest wish.

Am I still angry about this story written by Robert Johnson?

The answer is no!

Without this story, none of my children (my articles) would be alive and breathing today. So in closing, thank you Robert Johnson! My passion would not be as strong as it is today if it wasn’t for this very article.

Since this journey began, a doorway has opened where I have been offered the opportunity to also write for Wyoming Public Radio. Just like any job, it too is a learning lesson.

To all women in the media, if the drive is there, if the passion is strong, and you can feel the purpose, then for sure create your babies with the best of what you know. With it will come adventures, wisdom, and a heart of gold. It’s like a knock upon a door and inside waits many wishes to be granted. Anything is possible, anything can happen.

My County10 News stories can be found here: https://pitchengine.com/darrah_perez_gmail_com/dash

I have three short story/poetry books which can be found at Barnes and Noble.com and Amazon.com. My trilogy is called Life Happens the Way Life Happens, with my first book called It Never Happened, my second book called, It Always Happens, and my final book called, It’s Forever Happening. You may also find me at Facebook, feel free to add me @ Darrah J. Perez.

Click the link. Feel free to add me on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/darrah.joseph?ref=bookmarks

I am grateful to be a woman in Wyoming Media.