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We all know the last year has been very stressful. Life as we knew before the pandemic greatly changed how we live our lives. As someone who works in the news industry, it is not lost on me that differing opinions are out there and that there have been emails sent to us showing those opinions. And they are all valid.
However here is one thing I will not tolerate. I will not tolerate seeing hearing or learning that someone demeans someone because of a differing opinion, or for who they are or what they do for their living.
To give further background, I learned that of Iowa County's finest, Leah Linscheid of Channel 3 received a very disheartening email that she shared with her supporters. The content of that email was very demoralizing, and unacceptable.
It's not an easy life for people who work in the media. Countless hours are put in, mountains of facts are checked to ensure that information that affects communities are being told correctly. Unfortunately that information is sometimes information we don't want to hear. Of course we don't want to deliver news about more COVID-19 cases, shootings at malls or anything tragic. But it's information that needs to be told.
When I learned about the email sent to Linscheid, I recall an email I received questioning me on my character as well as some low-blow comments after a trial I covered. I remember the gut punch of reading that email. Although it sent me down a rabbit hole of self doubt, I wasn't there long. Like Linscheid, I received messages of support from people telling me how well I did covering my first trial.
Leah Linscheid is a strong Iowa County woman, who models resilience. She went through the tragic loss of a family member like myself and still found a way to keep going. That is a huge inspiration to me, and it can be an example for anyone.
She will rise above this negative commentary because one negative moment does not overshadow the many positive ones.
Let this editorial be a reminder of basic humanity. You may have a differing opinion, but differing opinions are no excuse for bringing someone down or demoralizing someone. Because if you do, then that proves that you have a lot of inner work to do
Don't make things harder than they need to be. Otherwise you are not only disrespecting someone else, but also yourself in the process.