Miss Sam Houston story misunderstood

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The mass negativity I have received from my article over the crowning of Miss Sam Houston 2013 has caused me to re-think my wording and explain my intentions to the public. I, as a journalist, realize that I made a mistake, the mistake of not clearly relaying or providing information.

My intentions were never to offend or hurt anyone. I was simply trying to make a statement in defense of the gossip I had been hearing around campus. I understand that as a journalist I am supposed to provide evidence and factual information to support my story, in which I failed to do. For that I am truly sorry, I personally do not think that the pageant is fixed and I do not believe that race or size play a factor into the judge’s decisions.

By adding Smith’s comment, "I can say that I have knocked over another barrier, I know I can do it, all you have to do is put your mind to it and everything will work its course," I wanted my readers to see that barriers had been broken and that Shanece has set the stage for every girl out there who ever thought they couldn’t compete in a pageant because of their size.

The most criticism I have received is from the statement in the article, "Smith is the third woman from a minority group to win the title of Miss SHSU." This statement was never intended to suggest that the pageant was fixed in order to insure a minority woman won. This statement was intended to state a fact and support my point that race plays no factor into the content of the person. I wanted to then prove my point by adding the quote from Donielle Miller, "Most of our judges are not from minority groups and I think it is about the content of the person and not the color of their skin…"

I understand that as a journalist I am supposed to provide a clear and effective message, in which I failed to do in this article. I want all of the readers who felt offended or hurt by my article to understand that I am only a student and I am still learning, I make mistakes but I learn from them. I have experienced a great deal of hurtful criticisms from an article, one which I never intended to be offensive or cruel.

I hope that anyone that did take offense to the article forgives me and understands the true intentions. Lastly, I would like to apologize to Shanece and give a past due congratulations for being crowned Miss Sam Houston 2013. I ask that you please contact me with any further questions, comments or concerns at my e-mail, csimpson@houstonianonline.com.