Some stories are different, and “In Memoriam: Family,
friends seek justice for Russ” is one of them. It appeared in the Feb. 10
Dorchester Banner, as the lead story. What made it unusually meaningful and difficult
were the topic and the personal challenge of covering it.
Mr. Russ was a young Cambridge man who was stabbed to death
not long ago. Police have the name of a suspect, but so far have been unable to
locate him.
In the meantime, the family suffers the grief of losing a
loved one, and the frustration of knowing his killer, whoever it is, remains
free. So, they invited the Banner to cover a candlelight vigil and march
remembering Mr. Russ and calling for the arrest of his assailant.
That’s not an easy thing to cover, and that’s the point. As
community journalists, we know we have to do things like report on contentious
county council meetings, and not only face the council members personally, but
possibly bump into them while grocery shopping or mailing a letter at the post
office.
Awkward.
And we can say it takes courage to do difficult things like
speaking truth to power. True enough.
But what about the strain of facing people who are just
hurting? We’ve probably all done this kind of coverage. If there’s a kind of
bravery required in confronting an angry elected official with an uncomfortable
truth, there’s also a certain quality needed in a reporter who speaks to a
grieving mother holding a candle and a picture of her late son.
That’s not easy, but it is service. It’s service to our
neighbors, who value us enough to ask us to attend an emotional event when
feelings are still raw, and sensitivities – regarding law enforcement and race
in particular – are heightened.
But they trust us to tell a painful story in an honest and
straightforward manner. They recognize our dedication to sharing their views
and needs, something our work and that of our predecessors has earned over the
years.
