The Courier Journal is adding more opinion content online and welcomes advisory board
In these deeply divided times, one thing we can agree on is that there's no shortage of opinions on any given topic. Conversations have become difficult and much of our public discourse seems rooted in contempt instead of solutions.
The Courier Journal takes our responsibility for fostering productive conversations in our opinion page seriously. The community forum should be a place for lifting diverse voices of greater Louisville and serve as a vital part of uncovering meaningful solutions for the issues our communities face.
I've been the opinion editor here at The Courier Journal for nine months now and I've read some incredible stories of resilience as well as learned about the meaningful actions taking place to make our community the best it can be.
These opinion pages are here to hold space for those important conversations that go beyond name-calling or chastising others who disagree with us. Our community needs more meaningful opinion writing on the topics that unite us and the solutions that make Louisville a better place to live.
Holding those in power to account is part of that equation. We welcome that as part of productive public discourse. Bring us your solutions along with your ideas for change.
Local submissions from people who live and work in Kentucky and Southern Indiana will continue to receive priority consideration for publication. This is why we make a concerted effort to reach into the community, talk about the goals and mission of the opinion page and invite contributions.
Reading diverse perspectives and understanding how community issues affect each of us differently should be important to us all. And while we are all entitled to our own opinions, we are not entitled to our own facts. The opinion section is held to the same journalistic ethical guidelines of fairness, accuracy and intellectual integrity as our news division. All submissions are fact-checked and edited for AP style. Misinformation, disinformation and opinions based on conspiracy theories will all be rejected.
In the opinion section, we are able to lift community voices, read the stories of our neighbors, find meaningful reflections on important issues and thoughtful guest columns and productive discourse.
More: 5 reasons to download The Courier Journal app today
Changes to opinion section in print edition
Beginning today, June 1, The Courier Journal will shift from printing an opinion page every day of the week to printing an opinion page on Wednesday and Sunday only.
Opinion columns will still appear online throughout the week. Fewer columns are curated for print publication with the most submissions appearing in the Sunday Forum section.
The Courier Journal is committed to featuring guest columns that help Louisvilians better understand how the news impacts their daily lives. These personal contributions open hearts and minds and keep Louisville focused on the issues that matter to the community. That does not change.
If you are interested in submitting a guest column, here are a few helpful tips.
What about letters?
Letters to the editor remain an important part of The Courier Journal's community engagement. Letters will still continue to appear in print on Wednesday and Sunday. We will also publish letters online for subscribers, grouped by topic so readers can jump directly to the conversations that most interest them.
Have something to say about today's news? Submit a letter to the editor here
Opinion content is growing
The digital world offers so many ways to connect and we are excited to explore options to do that with our opinion content. In 2022, we'll offer new ways to engage in person in the community, on social media and through interviews with interesting Kentuckians doing awesome things. This print schedule change is just the first step in creating the space for these opportunities. We're continuously thinking about how to make this space more inviting and more of a place for you. We want to hear your ideas too.
If you've not yet joined us for one of our community workshops, we've partnered with the Louisville Free Public Library to offer them monthly on how to write an effective op-ed. "Op-eds On Tour" is visiting a different branch of the library each month. Visit www.lfpl.org/tickets/op-ed-register.php to register. I look forward to meeting you and reading your opinion submissions.
Welcome new advisory board members
We at The Courier Journal value diversity. Diversity of thought, experience and professional expertise. We see this shift to a more digitally-focused opinion page as an opportunity to strengthen community conversations and lead by example with input from trusted community members in the form of a community advisory board.
We welcome four community members who will provide insights to help shape the conversations we advance in the community. They will serve one-year terms, providing input on issues and writing occasional columns.
These individuals were selected in part because of their passion for the commonwealth, desire to seek solutions for the betterment of Kentuckians and for their deep understanding of community needs as it relates to their respective areas of expertise.
Damera Blincoe
Damera Blincoe has worked for the Louisville Free Public Library for 25 years. She is currently Manager of Equity Assessment for the Louisville Free Public Library system and was previously the manager of the Newburg Library. Blincoe received her Bachelors in Justice Administration from the University of Louisville and Masters in Library and Information Studies from Florida State University. She hopes to encourage Black, Indigenous and people of color to pursue the field of librarianship.
Berry Craig III
Berry Craig of Arlington, Kentucky, is a professor emeritus of history at West Kentucky Community and Technical College in Paducah. He is also a veteran journalist and an author of seven books, co-author of two more. All are on Kentucky history. Craig also has authored articles for the Kentucky Encyclopedia.
Craig has received honors as a teacher and a writer.
He was a Kentucky Humanities Council consultant and a longtime member of the KHC Speaker's Bureau. He travels the state speaking on history and politics, "the latter from a strictly non-partisan and often humorous perspective," Craig says.
Craig is a member of American Federation of Teachers Local 1360 and was for many years recording secretary for the Western Kentucky AFL-CIO Area Council. In addition, he belongs to the Kentucky Education Association-National Education Association and is an association member of Kentucky 120 United AFT and the United Campus Workers—Communications Workers of America Local 3365. He is also a member of the Mayfield-Graves County NAACP.
Kimberly Moore
Kimberly Moore says that her highest honor in life is being the mother of her four children and Nana to her six grandchildren. Moore knows the struggles that others encounter. As someone in long-term recovery, and in her 22nd year of sobriety, she uses her "PHD from the streets" to change lives.
Kimberly has been on the ground in the Russell neighborhood for 20 years and has been part of an initiative with LMPD since 2004. She is a founding member of the Reentry Task Force formed in 2005 and still serves today. She is a board member for ChooseWell, which works with women who have substance abuse issues and are working to reunite with their children.
She is very involved in the Sickle Cell Association of Kentuckiana due to her granddaughter suffering from this life-threatening disease.
Moore believes in people because people believed in her.
Terrance Sullivan
Terrance Sullivan is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights. Prior to KCHR, Terrance was the Director of State Policy for an education non-profit focused on creating equity in education. He also served as a Policy Director at Kentucky Youth Advocates where he focused on poverty, criminal justice, juvenile justice and education.
Sullivan graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science: Law and Public Policy and a minor in Economics. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law. After law school, Sullivan worked with the Jefferson County Attorney, the Louisville Metro Council and the Legislative Research Commission of the Kentucky General Assembly.
He is a board member for the ACLU of Kentucky, the Louisville Forum and serves as the Vice-Chair for the JCPS Advisory Council on Racial Equity.
Opinion editor Bonnie Jean Feldkamp writes this on behalf of the editorial board. Email her at BFeldkamp@gannett.com or find her on Twitter @WriterBonnie
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: The Courier Journal is adding opinion content online with print change
