I feel lucky to live in Door County. I walked my dog this morning to a point that juts out into Lake Michigan, a long stone’s throw from Rock Island. Wading in the water, we startled a mama duck and her ducklings, spied lake irises and lilies. I breathed fresh air and felt grateful.
I am fortunate to have had a pretty good life so far. Growing up, we were financially secure, I had access to good education, healthy food, recreation, and a family who loved me. I have earned most of the merits I have received, but I know those opportunities are not afforded to everyone.
Most recently I am the beneficiary of a grant from Report for America to write full time for Door County Knock. Report for America describes itself as a national service program that puts emerging journalists in local newsrooms to report on topics that are under-covered in their communities.
I am looking forward to reporting on things that are not always publicly talked about in our idyllic county: housing, child and elder care, substance use disorder, mental health, environmental health, economic disparities, and more.
I am aware of my good fortune. Sometimes I sit uneasily with it. Mostly I try to do good things with it. I often feel overwhelmed and helpless in the face of inequity, suffering and privation in the world.
But I am not actually helpless. I have a voice; I can be a conduit for other people’s stories. I can turn over rocks and shine lights onto problems, and highlight solutions. I hope Knock readers and Door County residents and visitors will reach out to me, challenge me, and take me on a tour of some unexplored issues in this beautiful place.
Local, in-depth, nonpartisan journalism is crucial to maintaining the privilege of freedom we enjoy here in the U.S., and I am lucky to be doing it.