But it is different, being us. Because for as much as people pretend otherwise, the thing that most defines us as “Black” is not common skin tone nor even common ancestry. Rather, it is common experience – all of us having gone through some variation of the same old story of denial and denigration.
Alex Lear
Staff Writer
Alex Lear is a lifelong Mainer who has spent 25 years in journalism -- the first 20 as a reporter for newspapers in Damariscotta and Falmouth, then as Opinions section editor for the Sun Journal and now a digital producer with the Maine Trust for Local News. His long-running “Learics” column won first place in the Maine Press Association’s 2023 Better Newspaper Contest. He and his wife Lauren are kept young by their 9-year-old daughter Alaina. Send feedback and suggestions to Alex.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Bob Neal: The Countryman: The triumph of ignorance
Today, ideologues on every side rely on ignorance, often building an entire ideology on one fact. Or worse, one factoid.
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Posted inLetters, Opinion
Peg Hoffman: Change state tax code to strengthen economy
This year Maine lawmakers will have the opportunity to change our state tax code, to ensure we can recover from the pandemic and make our economy stronger for everyone. We need to return to fairness, where working families are not paying more taxes than wealthy Mainers; where large corporations — that have benefited the most […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Ellen Field: ‘Other Republicans’ are ‘stealing the party’
We know that QAnon, the Proud Boys, and other Trump followers believe everything Trump says, no matter how obviously false, but it’s still shocking to see a gang of domestic terrorists in MAGA hats (not antifa or BLM) trying to wreck the U.S. Capitol. Some of these “patriots” were trying to find and kill Nancy […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Gregory Foster: Difference between ‘real racism,’ ‘harmless commentary’
It is so sad that the critics of former Selectman George Colby of New Gloucester are so incapable of identifying the difference between real racism and harmless commentary. Those critics themselves may someday become victim of an inaccurately redefined term that they use. And, if George’s statement is so bad, why did the Lewiston Sun […]
Posted inConnections
Well done news for Friday, Feb. 5
Husson University, Saint Michael’s College and Endicott College names honor students.
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Gregory D’Augustine: Civil discourse is key in mask mandate discussion
I hardly know where to begin in discussing the Feb. 4 article about the Androscoggin County Commission’s decision regarding the mask mandate. While I agree that there’s much to debate regarding the constitutional authority issues, such discussions are not advanced by spectators shouting “cowards” and “shame.” Those folks should examine their free speech to determine […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Anthony Lee Alfreds: Youth incarceration causes trauma cycle
This letter regards “Police arrest 18-year-old in Lisbon stabbing,” published in the Jan. 27 Sun Journal. As a formerly incarcerated young person, I know the deep and lasting trauma that lives in kids after being incarcerated, and the trauma young people experience while incarcerated does not stop once you leave detention. Matthew Newton-Fortin was dealt […]