Jim Crow to Today: A Call to Defend Democracy and Free Speech

by Melinda McWilliams

I am a senior.  I grew up in the Jim Crow South and witnessed the ugliness.  I came of age in the tumultuous 1960s with the Vietnam War and protests; political assassinations; National Guard killings of Kent State students; the fight for civil rights for blacks, women, the LGBT community, Native Americans and other minorities. The fights continued into the 1970s for environmental protections, women’s bodily autonomy and disabled persons rights.  Our society became more equitable.  I am astounded by what is going on in our country right now with President Trump’s authoritarian rhetoric, policies, actions, retribution and lawlessness.  Now, more than ever, it is important for all citizens to be informed and engaged or we could lose our democracy.  We are fortunate to still have a local newspaper.  However, the Sky-Hi News has a policy prohibiting letters to the editor about national issues.  Yes, the newspaper has the right to edit or not publish letters of its choosing.  However, to have a policy that prohibits the right to submit letters about national topics is censorship, plain and simple.  Trump is attacking free speech, the free press and the right to protest. To me our newspaper’s policy is aiding his agenda.  I have been a full-time resident of Grand County since 2002.  Previous managers of the newspaper allowed letters to the editor about almost any topic up to 400 words.  The community had vigorous, but civil, debates about many national topics.  I have had in-person and online discussions with the newspaper about this policy.  It is my conclusion this is the arbitrary decision of one individual.  This censorship needs to stop now.  It is our right as citizens, and more important than ever, to speak out about national issues.