A Better Team

by Michele Boy | February 8, 2024

I had a discussion with someone out of the area about what community journalism means. It was interesting because I believe it is dependent on where you live. Wichita has television news channels, a daily newspaper, websites, social media pages, and staff. 
In our small town community journalism looks different. It’s a weekly time capsule of the community. Not everyone who has run the paper has done it the same but I believe it should be generally focused on the positive points, dealing with some difficult subjects in as much of an impartial way as possible. 
In a large city, a newspaper reporter can call some issue or person out and go about their day with little understanding of the impact that story may have on a person, a family, or a business. 
Here, reporting on a situation can have immediate effects. That is something I do not take lightly. 
There is power in the press and there should be. But wielding a sword around town does not do anyone good. 
I mentioned to this person how generations of two families could bicker and squabble to the end but if one family lost a loved one to a tragedy the other would be the first one at the door with a casserole. 
He asked me about politics. I said we choose relationships first, and generally keep our politics to private conversations. 
Then he asked me about national politics. I think about how most of the country is frustrated by what appears to be limited choices of Trump vs Biden. 
Years ago when Trump was elected and the media elite proclaimed racism for the vote I was disheartened. Over half the population was reduced to being considered white supremacists and bigots. When in truth they voted on the issues of health insurance, jobs, and more. 
How do you have a conversation and truly heal and move forward if you don’t listen to the other side of the conversation?
All that has been done is create more trust issues and cause weariness of mainstream media.  
While the headlines in our local paper aren’t flashy and the stories generally aren’t sensationalized, there is a respect for who we are. There is an understanding of what consequences come from using the newspaper as a weapon. 
The man asked me if I was trusted in the community given my job. I said I believe so because many have trusted us with their personal stories and with community information. We have researched it and weighed the risks of reporting on it. 
Don’t rack your brains of what story in particular I am referring, there is none. 
But pose the question of community journalism to yourself. What should that look like? 
I live in this town. I want the community to flourish. I want my child to build great memories here. So do I overlook or pass over some areas that a larger city may tackle? Yes. 
But when asked if I trusted local officials I said yes. They were elected to use a small budget to run a county. If they don’t fund what I want, I don’t dig into their past to write an expose on them. I just find a way to fundraise for what I believe is right. 
Maybe if the United States put more effort into electing people based on principles and not on their past (which everyone has) we would have more choices, we could accomplish a lot more. 
Until then, extremism will prevail and 85% of the country will be disenchanted. 
While I can’t change the world, I can work hard to help build community here. 
Last Friday a young man with a disability came onto the basketball court in the last couple minutes of the varsity boys game. He was cheered on by both teams and fans. Our players helped him have an experience by playing a part in his ability to score two baskets. I shared the short video online and it had been viewed by over 100,000 people. It has been shared over 200 times. And the joy it brought people showed me how this young man reminded me of what’s important - kindness, respect, and building something. Tearing each other from the inside out isn’t working. So maybe it is time to lay down our weapons.   
Maybe we start right here. If you are a parent in the stands as your child plays basketball perhaps if the referee got the call wrong you let it go. Maybe you give him or her the benefit of the doubt that he/she is human. Maybe the kid hit your kid accidentally? No not always. Sometimes the refs have an agenda. Sometimes the kid did hit your kid on purpose. There is  not always good in the world.  There is evil. 
But maybe we need to fight evil with good.  Maybe America needs to become a better team.