Negative stories don’t help students

I am a senior at Monroe High School. The media have really degraded my town. If it’s not a story about our prison or an escaped convict, the only things we hear about Monroe are negative.

Monroe is only 40 minutes away from Seattle but still I am constantly called a hick, redneck, and looked down upon by students at other schools.

I’m a Caucasian so talking about harassment with anyone doesn’t really help because it has become more of an instinct to just respond to the minorities in our community in order to look as though we are treating everyone fairly. I am very glad that those incidents were brought to the attention of my school’s administration, but why did all your readers need to hear about it? Would they really help? It’s just going to increase the criticism that I have to hear about my hometown.

Monroe has become one of the most diverse communities in this area. Everywhere you go comments will be made and things done that don’t sit well with everyone. The community itself has to change its outlook on the world. Other involvement only makes it harder for me and my fellow students to take this situation seriously or even consider it a problem.

A school is a community within itself. Making general statements about students only hurts the morality of the innocent students and makes us all look down upon ourselves and have less respect for the community we are part of. Please take this into consideration when you are writing other stories about Monroe. There are a lot of students in a school and most don’t deserve to feel poorly about where they live or go to school. We can’t make everything happen the way it’s supposed to, but we can do what’s best to fix it.

Anne Zaremba

Monroe

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Monday, Sept. 16

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Bethany Teed, a certified peer counselor with Sunrise Services and experienced hairstylist, cuts the hair of Eli LeFevre during a resource fair at the Carnegie Resource Center on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: Put 2 cents to work with public safety tax increase

A Nov. 5 ballot measure seeks a sales tax boost of 2 cents on a $10 purchase for public safety needs.

Paul: Parsing line between vocabulary fairness and euphemism

There are reasons to remake terms like ‘felon,’ ‘homeless’ and ‘slave,’ but they flirt with robbing language’s impact.

Krugman: Fact check: Europe doing more for Ukraine than U.S.

Among his misstatements, Trump got it wrong that Europe has provided less aid than the U.S. has.

Congress, District 1: DelBene leader on sustainable aviation fuel

At the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure, we believe in building a future… Continue reading

America’s association with guns is embarrassing

My sister sent me a poem written by British poet Brian Bilston… Continue reading

What effort is Herald making to improve coverage?

The Herald continues to push me to the point where I should… Continue reading

Comment: Health care is on the ballot this November

With health care a significant cost for all, voters should weigh the positions of candidates for office.

Comment: Coordinate efforts to prevent substance abuse, suicide

Abuse of drugs and alcohol can increase the risk of suicide ideation, attempts and death.

Comment: Give taxpayers details on state workers’ contract deals

The workers’ union criticized a proposal without providing details; shouldn’t taxpayers judge for themselves?

Vote 2024. US American presidential election 2024. Vote inscription, badge, sticker. Presidential election banner Vote 2024, poster, sign. Political election campaign symbol. Vector Illustration
Editorial: Keep Reps. Paul in 10th, Eslick in 39th districts

Both lawmakers have used their legislative skills for practical solutions in their districts.

Two bubble text combined as a puzzle. Isolated Vector Illustration
Editorial: Red ballot, blue ballot, one house, one America

Two Braver Angels workshops offer thoughts on working past political divisions as the election nears.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.