As an independent, nonpartisan news outlet dedicated to diverse community voices, The New Bedford Light welcomes guest essays. Opinions expressed in our Community Voices essays are those of the individual writers
In addition to our longer Community Voices essay series, we welcome short comments related to our news coverage and all aspects of life in New Bedford. Use our online comment form; send your thoughts via email to voices@newbedfordlight.org; or share them on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Letters to the Light: Not everyone sees eye-to-eye on migrant story, immigration
Reader: They don’t belong here, have no rights and need to be on a plane back to Mexico or Venezuela. What part of illegal don’t you understand?
Essay: Wampanoag Experience Project highlights Native history in the South Coast area
Wampanoags still love this land, its woods, its rivers, its bays. We love to fish in her waters and to walk in her woods, through the swamps. We still honor the bounty of the land, turkey and deer, medicine plants and wild blueberries.
Letters to The Light: No room for Bernier’s bitterness
“This is no time to let hurt feelings stand in the way of long overdue changes needed in our county corrections system. There is just too much at stake.”
Letters to The Light: Less drill to the test and more teach to the moment!
Readers voice their opinion on raising MCAS standards and delays in clean energy
Opinion: Drone killing of Al Qaeda leader vindicates Biden’s ‘over the horizon’ strategy
The fact that the CIA was able to track down a wanted terrorist in a remote land and kill him from afar is testimony to its remarkable ability to maintain and project its counter-terrorism capabilities.
Opinion: Civil injustice, or how not to keep a republic
In all, the justices cast aside precedent, conflict of interest and all other principles of judicial restraint in a scheme to align the law with their political and religious preferences.
Letters to The Light: An enlightening Chat and more reaction to fishing investigation
Reader: “Highlighting the fact that votes are being cast based upon the like or dislike of a candidate’s demeanor … was eye opening.”
Opinion: It’s time to end the era of billion-dollar ‘sealords’ and heed the fishermen
Congress must listen to the voices that for nearly 30 years have consistently sounded the alarm about management schemes that privatize fishing rights, industrialize the ocean, and undermine our public commons.
Letters to The Light: Spillane’s column honors Montigny’s important contribution
Bringing the College of Visual and Performing Arts into a renovated Star Store was the critical piece of the downtown puzzle. Keeping it here preserves downtown’s important anchor.
Public reaction to New Bedford fishing industry investigation: ‘This is a disgrace’
“What hurts them and their families, hurts me … I think putting the squeeze on the very people who do the backbreaking work is unconscionable. Corporate greed at its best.”
Letter: Folk Festival provided ‘phenomenal enthusiasm and wonderful entertainment’
A volunteer shares her experience taking in the sights, sounds and food of “New Bedford at its best.”
Opinion: Manipulation of the fishing industry is alive and well
“Sennott’s piece brings into focus what we’ve long wondered aloud: How much of the $11 billion the industry generates each year stays here … Certainly not enough.” — Joshua Amaral
Opinion: First, ground fishing takeover — next is the scallop industry
“We as fishermen pour our hearts out to the (scallop leasing) committee. And they sit there with a straight face like they have already made their decision.” — Fishing Captain Justin Mello
‘Thank you, Jack,’ and other letters to The New Bedford Light
“The fact that this Chat [on abortion] was organized by a man is significant. … It is not just a woman’s issue, and more men are needed to speak out!”
Commentary: Defending democracy and a woman’s right to choose
Women, especially low-income women, will be forced to have illegal and potentially dangerous abortions. Women and mothers, sisters and daughters will die as a result of this ruling.
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If you have a short comment, a first-person essay, a poem or a topical opinion piece, an image, a short video — or some other form of creative expression — you’d like to share, please submit it here or email us at VOICES@newbedfordlight.org. We want to hear from you. Comments must be civil and will be edited for clarity and length.
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