The Columbia Chronicle Online 3/29: Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

Martin Luther King: Slighted?

Dear Chonicle,

Your decorations and insights for St. Patrick's Day were great. I didn't know that a holiday could get so much recognition when other cultural holidays do not receive the same.

I think it is important to notice everyone's cultures. I don't remember seeing anything for Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday, a well-known national holiday for a man who helped bring all nationalities together in this country. He didn't even make the front page.

I presented the Chronicle with a speech and a poem honoring him on his birthday and it didn't get published. I did not even see a story on him in your paper.

What's wrong? Explain!

Kela Ellis

Viewpoints/New Media Editor Billy O’Keefe:

Glad to. In fact, Kela, there was a piece on Dr. King in our January 19th issue (page six) that addressed just how how much we take Martin Luther King’s presence for granted, especially on his day.

Our St. Patrick’s decorations had nothing to do with Irish culture or the holiday’s purpose. Leprechans, the color green and getting drunk are goofy references to a holiday Americans hardly take seriously. These “insights” are really anything but.

Imagine if we did that with Dr. King’s legacy, sticking silly artwork of his likness here and there and splashing goofy designs all over the place. Our intentions might be right, but the finished product would probably be a huge insult to the holiday’s meaning, especially since it has roots right here in America.

Hooray for us... almost

Dear Chronicle,

I'm writing this letter to prevent a fire and to make you guys happy. I read the Chronicle every Monday and I think it's a pretty good paper. I wanted you to know that your paper is appreciated.

I really don't know anything about the newspaper making business. But I do know how to read, and what looks good and/or bad. There's one thing about the Chronicle that's been bothering me -- putting text on a gray textbox. I guess you do that because it looks good on the computer screen (or whatever you guys use nowadays).

It's simply hard on the eyes.

Momo