Jo Sullivan
(Editor’s note: The Readers Advocate’s role is to address the concerns of readers on a variety of matters, including the fairness of stories, what The Item covers, stories that may have been missed, and the emphasis put on certain stories but perhaps not on others. It is written by Jo Sullivan, a retired educator who is not a member of The Item staff and is not being paid. Her commentaries will appear on no set schedule. She can be reached at [email protected].)
Black History month 2023 coverage in The Daily Item was uneven and disappointing.
In 2022, The Item featured numerous articles about both local and historic Black leaders, heroes, artists, and athletes, highlighted by a Black History graphic, as well as news and opinions that were not highlighted.
This year there were no special graphics and fewer articles that noted regional African-American talents and activities. News articles did appear in late January and several in early March, as recently as March 17, that featured a variety of topics.
These included an opinion piece on March 2, “Forgotten Black history has been recovered by rogue scholars” by independent scholar Jermaine Fowler, news of community efforts in “Juneteenth Association kicks off Black History Month” Feb. 1, and “ Juneteenth Association honors Black excellence” Feb. 8.
In an innovative take on Black History month, “A quotable sign in Swampscott,” Swampscott Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald initiated and the DPW implemented Black History quotes on an electronic sign on Lynn Shore Drive. Fitzgerald stated that “Swampscott is making systemic changes to create a more inclusive community.”
The Item profiled area artists and professionals: “Getting a read on Swampscott poet” profiled Enzo Silon Surin Feb. 3; “State school chief Tutweiler (Dr. Patrick Tutweiler, the new Secretary of Education, was the former Lynn school superintendent) focuses on Black History” Feb. 16; and “Heritage influences Peabody designer,” Boye Asenuga and her African-inspired clothing fashions Feb. 20.
The Association of Latino Professionals for America in Boston included Carolina Trujillo and Rosario Ubiera-Minaya as Afro-Latinx individuals making a difference throughout the year, beyond Black History month. Both women lead important local non-profits.
The lengthy feature covering these community leaders on March 17 highlighted their comments on the importance of honoring and celebrating Afro-Latin heritage:
“They should…celebrate their differences together,” Trujillo said.
Ubiera-Minaya said that Afro-Latinos “should be empowering each other to be proud of their identity.”
Whether or not the timing was intentional, this piece was an effective transition from Black History month to Women’s History Month.
Because I value the approach that Black history and culture should be acknowledged and celebrated all year, I have mixed emotions regarding The Item coverage of Black History this year. Was this a deliberate plan to ensure that Black History triumphs and challenges are not confined to the month of February, or scattered attention to Black History and culture?
Other thoughts …
In the last several months, significant developments have been featured in The Item. These included a five-part review of Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson’s first year in office, Monsignor Paul Garrity’s opinion pieces on LGBTQ+ rights, the rise of anti-semitism on the North Shore and around the U.S., and the meaning of “woke”.
A front-page article in January, “Signs of Success,” covered Lynn Public School elementary students learning American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate with their classmates. On March 29, “A positive sign at Lynn English” on p. A1 featured an ASL Club at the high school level, with an ASL elective course planned for fall.
These efforts demonstrate that young children and teens can be role models for us all. And it is inspiring to read about The Item’s 2022 Persons of the Year in the Feb. 9 insert.
Local editorials would be more effective if they included opinion as well as summary. What do The Item leaders think about the people and issues they include in their editorials?
