Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen an uptick in letters to the editor from Hoptown Chronicle readers.
Many of the recent letters are from people who have something to say about the Webber Building and whether the historic landmark should be preserved or demolished.
No one could be happier than I have been to watch our readers engaging in this way. As I see it, writing a letter to a news outlet can be a healthy sign for any community — especially when the correspondent demonstrates an ability and willingness to speak and listen in civil tones. Gosh, do we need more of that.
I’m partial to letters to the editor because I come from a newspaper background, where we often viewed the opinion page as a community having a conversation with itself.
But letters to the editor also have value in digital journalism — in part because they can serve as an antidote to the overwhelming speed of social media comments, many of which are poorly argued knee-jerk reactions. But when a person takes a little time to write a letter — and then goes back to check for spelling, grammar, accuracy and sentiment — what results is an observation that is usually worth a reader’s time and attention.
I’m not saying letters to the editor must be dripping with kindness. Raising some Cain has its place if a letter writer can stay on topic and make a point without hurling unfounded allegations and personal attacks.
Hoptown Chronicle’s letter writers have covered many topics, including legislative redistricting, disagreements about school funding, problems with panhandling, how old American flags are properly retired, the health department’s response to the pandemic, the benefits of Hopkinsville’s rail-trail, nonpartisan elections and the occasional “thank you” from a nonprofit to the community.
Community voices are crucial to Hoptown Chronicle’s mission. Recently during a presentation to 100 Women Who Care, I noted that Hoptown Chronicle has published letters to the editor, personal essays, poems, columns and freelance articles from 124 contributors since we launched in 2019. Even I was surprised by that number when I took the time to add it up. Y’all have come through for us.
So consider this a heartfelt thanks from me and Hoptown Chronicle engagement editor Julia Hunter for your thoughtful submissions. It’s also an invitation to send a letter to the editor if you have something to say about a local issue. Although we cannot promise to publish every letter we receive, we’ll do our best to work with you.
You can reach us at editor@hoptownchronicle.org.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
