Palmer Events Center
Missing MLK Events
RECEIVED Tue., Jan. 24, 2017
Dear Editor,
The cover of the Jan. 13 Austin Chronicle featured a roll of toilet paper inscribed with "We the People." It was placed next to a white toilet crammed full with the Texas Capitol building. “Hard Pass” was printed on the bowl as a heads-up reminder about dangerous bill movements the 85th legislative session will soon face. Though clever and timely, I had expected some reference to the coming week of national tributes to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s transformative legacy.
Next, I checked inside for the many events taking place in and around our capital city. I looked and looked and looked and looked. Finally, I discovered two small ads. The first, on the page 24 Calendar, erroneously listed Huston-Tillotson University as the starting place for the 9am MLK Community March – not the the MLK sculpture on the UT campus. Nothing else was provided. The second ad was included in the Community section (p.34). This one gave a tiny bit more info, but also printed the same (wrong) starting place. Alas!
The AC news coverage whiteout for the MLK holiday celebrations and Day of Service is a disappointing, deeply disturbing, and telling wake-up call. How is it that so many citywide MLK-related events operated so far below editorial radar as to become invisible?
If ever there was a HARD PASS, this one certainly qualifies. I truly hope we do better next year. There is too much at stake for We the People.
The cover of the Jan. 13 Austin Chronicle featured a roll of toilet paper inscribed with "We the People." It was placed next to a white toilet crammed full with the Texas Capitol building. “Hard Pass” was printed on the bowl as a heads-up reminder about dangerous bill movements the 85th legislative session will soon face. Though clever and timely, I had expected some reference to the coming week of national tributes to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s transformative legacy.
Next, I checked inside for the many events taking place in and around our capital city. I looked and looked and looked and looked. Finally, I discovered two small ads. The first, on the page 24 Calendar, erroneously listed Huston-Tillotson University as the starting place for the 9am MLK Community March – not the the MLK sculpture on the UT campus. Nothing else was provided. The second ad was included in the Community section (p.34). This one gave a tiny bit more info, but also printed the same (wrong) starting place. Alas!
The AC news coverage whiteout for the MLK holiday celebrations and Day of Service is a disappointing, deeply disturbing, and telling wake-up call. How is it that so many citywide MLK-related events operated so far below editorial radar as to become invisible?
If ever there was a HARD PASS, this one certainly qualifies. I truly hope we do better next year. There is too much at stake for We the People.
Luanne Stovall