(Editor’s note: The Readers’ Advocate’s role is to address the concerns of readers on a variety of matters, including the fairness of stories; what The Item covers and how; stories that might have been missed; and the emphasis put on certain stories but perhaps not on others. It is written by Jo Sullivan, a retired educator who is not a member of The Item’s staff and is not being paid. These commentaries appear periodically, on no set schedule.)

The Daily Item’s coverage of Black History Month was multifaceted and focused on  local, regional, and national institutions, on individuals, historical figures, opinion pieces, and educational topics. Women’s History Month was less comprehensive and featured individuals.

Black History Month 

Most of the coverage this year highlighted institutional programs and activities with an emphasis on local stories. Such coverage can strengthen institutions. Early in February, Lynn Museum/LynnArts featured local artists; The Item included beautiful pictures from the exhibit on page A7. Again this year, “A Celebration of Black Excellence” took place at Lynn City Hall, led by Councilor-at-Large Nicole McClain, recognizing those who have “gone above and beyond.”

Sponsored by the organization Swampscott Unites Respects Embraces (S.U.R.E.), the Town of Swampscott held a town-wide celebration. The Item’s preview of this event appeared on Feb. 6, with enough advanced notice of the Feb. 27 event to encourage participation with a description of the program, its sponsors, and a color copy of the flier for the occasion titled “Black History Is Our History.” The LOOK! section of the Feb. 28 Item had photos of the S.U.R.E. celebration with the middle school’s choir, the director of the Swampscott Historical Society, and poet Enzo Silon Surin. Lynn Museum Executive Director Doneeca Thurston Chavez attended with a display of merchandise. We learned of an additional Swampscott effort when The Item noted Black History Month sleeve patches worn by police officers. The patch was designed by a former Swampscott High School student.

New activities in Lynn included local organizations that sponsored a photo exhibit from Ebony magazine at the Community Minority Cultural Center and a North Shore NAACP first annual symposium, reported in the Feb. 26 issue. Symposium speakers, leaders of local and state organizations, and activists spoke on housing, health, and education.

In the arts realm, the Lynn Museum/LynnArts sponsored a painting workshop on themes related to Black history. At the invitation of art teacher Renice Cooper, two artists visited art classes at Callahan Elementary School and Breed Middle School in Lynn, working with students to learn about African American artists Jacob Lawrence and Faith Ringgold. Much of Lawrence’s work depicts African American history and daily life. Ringgold is known for her story quilts that became the colorful illustrations of her children’s books.

Individuals of many accomplishments were noted and honored: Helena Almonte, a spoken-word artist and R.A.W. Arts alum, the panelists at the NAACP Symposium, a Lynn City Hall panel where Black leaders spoke of their experience growing up in Lynn. While the coverage this year focused on current and recent individuals and activities, The Item did take note of the Massachusetts Senate honoring Frederick Douglass with a new bust in the Senate chamber.

A number of the activities and opportunities already described were educational and focused on students or schools. In addition, a new Lynn institution, Centering Youth Voices, has been established. This group of high-school students will work with the superintendent of schools concerning issues affecting youth. The young people will be mentored by Lynn Public Schools teachers partnering with the city’s Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

The Opinion pages featured strong statements by national columnists: “This Black History Month, fight for the freedom to learn” by Svante Myrick and “The faith of Black America has been a gift to this nation” by Tariq El-Amin.

Not all the events covered during Black History Month were inspiring. The Item reported on a reaction in Saugus to the state requirement that MBTA communities include inclusionary zoning that will permit multi-family housing. Saugus Town Manager Scott Crabtree, in opposing this change, said that with the MBTA communities law, the state is trying to “turn everybody into Lynn or Revere or Malden with the housing… it can change a whole community.” It is important for The Item to make readers aware of such events and statements.

Women’s History Month

The Daily Item’s reporting on Women’s History Month began in the middle of March, then did area women proud by featuring local leaders young and adult, entrepreneurs, and public servants. The paper wrote of a Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year and two Marblehead teens, the area’s first female Eagle Scouts. A Saugus baker and a Swampscott real-estate executive and philanthropist were included. Swampscott and Lynn school superintendents were highlighted both for their positions and as role models. Readers learned of three Lynnfield women who are founders of a web-based nonprofit media group that was created to promote and amplify women’s voices. An EMS from Marblehead contributes to her town with a wide-ranging list of volunteer commitments. Such stories not only demonstrate the needs of our neighbors, but also show the difference people can make in our communities.

Other thoughts

Last year, I ended my commentary on The Item’s coverage of Black History Month with this question: “What do The Item’s leaders think about the people and issues they include in their editorials?” (March 3, 2023) I was pleased to see the front page of the Dec. 14, 2023 paper include a commentary by Publisher Ted Grant, “Methinks they doth protest too much,” about a rally held by community groups calling for more affordable housing in the ongoing South Harbor project.

Lynn and the rest of the state need affordable housing, and a development such as the proposed South Harbor site should be discussed and debated. Grant’s comments were disappointing. Proponents and those with concerns about city plans are acting in good faith. Policies and opinions about issues can be debated without insults and sarcasm. The data and summary reinforced the news story from Dec. 2, 2023 and The Item published letters to the editor in favor of and opposed to this new development; the tone of the commentary stung. 

A question I would like The Item to ask the developers and city leaders is: Why are there retail (or any) spaces on the ground floors? What are the contingencies to prepare an oceanfront property for climate change and rising sea levels? The Boston Globe raised such issues in a recent piece on April 7, 2024.

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