Robert Draper, a magazine journalist from Texas, claims that he got in to writing because “there was nothing else [he] could do well.” While freelancing in the beginning of his career, he picked up odd jobs, making only about $5,000 – $7,500 a year. Since then he has written for magazines such as the New York Times online magazine, Rolling Stone, National Geographic, and GQ. A multi-dimensional journalist, he writes articles about topics like traveling, photography, and politics. Each story is a variation of his interests, for he says he wouldn’t want to devote all of his time to one subject matter. He deliberately writes for different magazines with different voices relative to that magazine’s style. “It’s fun to work with different editors,” Draper says.
Although a Texas native, Draper has traveled quite a bit to cover certain stories. One in particular was in Somalia – a story that was assigned to him by National Geographic, where he is fully employed. Draper and Pascal, the photographer for the story, traveled to the failed state despite a warning from Doctors Without Borders that it was way too dangerous. It turns out they were right – there was a round of killing during their stay, as well as an attempted kidnapping. Let me explain. There were four Westerners in Somalia at that time – Draper, Pascal, and two other freelancers. After being sold out to the Militia by the head of security, Draper and Pascal’s car was followed with the intention of kidnapping them. But because they – quite luckily – decided to have heightened security that day, the Militia captured the two other Westerners instead of Draper and Pascal and held for 18 months. After this, they had to hide out for days until it was safe to travel to the airport. Not surprisingly, their Somalia trip was cut short.
The most admirable thing about Robert Draper is his honesty. He takes an impartial approach to every story he covers. The New York Times favors him as a Republican but unbiased writer for their liberal newspaper. Not only is he honest with his audience, but he is honest with himself. Draper is constantly “mindful of the fact that [he is] inconveniencing whomever [he is] interviewing.”