Community Voices
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.
Commentary: Innovators Charter School would give students a head start on college degree
We have designed the region’s first wall-to-wall early college model, meaning every single student goes to college while in high school. Durfee High School and New Bedford High School do not offer the wall-to-wall experience.
Opinion: OK, you’re sworn in … now comes the hard part
Helping people get a pothole filled, their trash picked up, or their child on a school bus, is among the best work you can do. It should produce the satisfying feeling of a job well done. That’s why you signed up for this, I hope.
Social media: Readers react to The Light’s coverage of Keith Hovan’s magistrate hearing
Here’s how some readers have reacted to The Light’s latest coverage of Southcoast Health CEO Keith Hovan’s ammunition hearing.
Lens: Chilly morning on the New Bedford waterfront
You think it’s tough to shovel out a parking space after 10 inches of snow? Try unloading 40 tons of fresh-caught groundfish on the windy New Bedford waterfront.
Poetry: Ode to New Bedford Whaling Museum’s Moby-Dick Marathon
We come from around the world, and wear flannel, woolens and Prada, We speak English, e portugûes! and eat chowdah and massa sovada!
Poetry before and after New Year’s arrival
Everett Hoagland, Professor Emeritus of English at UMass Dartmouth and New Bedford’s first poet laureate, offers two poems for the new year.
Opinion: Readers comment on COVID-19, immigrant workers, city politics
We all wore masks at the beginning of the pandemic to protect ourselves and others. Inconvenient: Yes. Lifesaving: Absolutely!
Opinion: Readers react to dismissal of charge against Keith Hovan
Readers react on social media to the dismissal of the assault and battery charge for Southcoast Health CEO and President Keith Hovan.
Opinion: Massachusetts must lead now on early childhood education and care
The American Rescue Plan Act provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the state to finally invest in early childhood education infrastructure.
Opinion: Innovators Charter School lacks real plan for ‘high-needs’ students
As with most charter schools, the ICS has no solid plan or intention to meet the complex needs of the students it claims to serve, particularly students with disabilities.
Students in New Bedford share reasons to be thankful
Three students at Global Learning Charter Public School share their essays on being grateful, and students at Alma del Mar Charter School hold signs they created to show their thanks.
Voices: Let’s talk turkey this Thanksgiving
While we crave meaningful relationships with those around us, we are often scared to engage in the meaningful conversations that could create those bonds.
Readers share opinions on Hovan arrest, New Bedford parking fees
New Bedford Light readers share their thoughts on recent stories, including the Southcoast Health board of trustees’ response to domestic assault and battery charges against President and CEO Keith Hovan.
Essay: SouthCoast community supports Haitian migrants
We have already seen our community rise up in solidarity for our Haitian members, and our region will only further benefit from this continued support.
Readers react to Keith Hovan’s arrest
He made sure his staff got fired for not being vaccinated! But he can commit a violent act against another person and still keep his job with pay. The email that went out to South Coast health employees stated the company was standing behind him, But the company won’t stand behind their unvaccinated employees. What…
Make your voice heard
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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