When I read the paper April 7, my eyes were immediately directed to the excessively large type “Somali group homeless.” I thought, perhaps, that there was a housing shortage, but I discovered I was mistaken. The Sun Journal once again has succeeded in making a mockery of journalism. Shame! Shame!

The article was actually about the African Immigrants Association, a group of local Somalis, asking the city for $50,000 to kick start an organization that “could offer day care, tutoring, translation, and other services …”

If I am not mistaken, the city already provides many of the services. What would necessitate a replication?

Years ago when many of our great-grandparents and grandparents came to Lewiston, they bonded together to raise whatever money they needed. They knocked on doors and had fundraisers. Perhaps the African Immigrants Association needs to pursue similar avenues. We need to remember that the extended arm and open palm is not a way of life. I applaud the city’s reticence in handing out money to this organization.

The way this article was presented to the public by the Sun Journal was cheap sensationalism at its worst. Since the power of the pen can also have negative ramifications, journalists need to choose their words carefully.
Elizabeth A. Dulac, Auburn

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