Inside
NCR Reactions to
the reactions to the grand new design
Reactions to the papers new
design keep trickling in. Because a disconcerting number have been unfavorable,
we lean toward the view that disapproving readers are more likely to express
their opinions than satisfied ones. But in case this should not be true, we are
taking everyones evaluation seriously.
Hate it, hate it, hate it! begain one - Im
withholding names to protect the innocent and everybody. I almost threw
it away thinking it was just another rag before I realized it was my favorite
paper, this one continued.
It looks like a labor rag from the forties, wrote
another. Bring back the blue.
It didnt help the transition that in the first two issues
the National Catholic Reporter masthead was, through no fault of
ours, in black instead of glamorous new blue. Now its in blue, and the
blue will get even better. This may be a good moment to appeal to readers for
patience, not to mention kindness, until we deal with the kinks - and until
readers themselves have time to get used to the change, which nearly everyone
mistrusts a little anyway.
Dark, depressing and angry are
among the words used to describe the headlines especially. I miss the
blue ink.
A couple of readers - and this would definitely concern us if the
criticism persists - thought the print too small and therefore harder to read.
We will monitor that. It can be changed.
Many of you miss the big blue NCR. (Give us that old CNR back, one
writer wrote.) But lets face it, there were problems with NCR, in
particular one of identity. You and I who know better can still call it NCR,
but we want to spell out for prospective readers exactly who we are.
Another reader writes: It seems odd that your famous
designer didnt leave room on page one for the address label. Once
again, this was not the designers fault. Adjustments have already been
made. And by the beginning of next year we move to a new process that will
inscribe your address directly on the page in exactly the right place.
For me the present (design) does not spell out the
Spirit-filled content of NCR, another writes. Since most of those
reactions were to the first two issues, we are confident that many of you are
giving the design a second chance - while assuring you the content has not been
meddled with in the meantime, except to make it better!
Indeed, many spelled out that distinction. Let me
distinguish between form and content, wrote one. The content
remains prophetic and consciousness-raising. Another reader who said
ug (would I make this up?) to the cover goes on, Inside,
its very well integrated and, I think, easier to read. And one
more: I have been a magazine publisher to 25 years. ... I like your new
design. I think it is very contemporary.
There were, of course, many other comments, in mixed vein like the
above. Thanks to all the gracious readers who wrote.
Religion, including the Roman
Catholic version, is supposed to motivate people to transcend themselves, make
leaps of faith and acts of charity they would never otherwise do. And it does.
The centuries have worn the gloss off our faith and its often heroic
manifestations, however, so that we take it for granted.
Its sad, then, that religion can also be such a stumbling
block. A case in point is the ongoing story of Corpus Christi parish (page 12).
A beautiful and courageous experiment has turned ugly, and well-meaning people
are behaving badly. Said Ed Griffin-Nolan, who has been covering the story for
NCR, I have never interviewed so many good people on both sides of a
really sad story.
Despite all the strengths of this papacy, polarization has been
one of its central weaknesses. When a new pope eventually comes along, watch
will he be a healer - because whatever he is will, whether we like it or not,
trickle down.
-- Michael Farrell
National Catholic Reporter, October 30,
1998
|