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Letters make a difference
At times I’ve thought letters to the editor don’t make a difference, but are merely a forum to let our voices be heard. When Sen. Maria Cantwell encouraged attendants at her recent town hall meeting in Spokane to write letters to the editor as a means to promote change, I fought the urge to roll my eyes.
I was so wrong.
Aug. 19, I woke up sad and exhausted from the hard work involved with my commitment to stand up against hate-filled speech and behavior. But when I read the letters from Elaine Tyrie and Jack Sandberg against white supremacy and all the letters speaking out against the Steve Massey column about transgender identity, I felt a spark of hope.
With the encouragement from letter writers, my amazing friends, family and community, I am no longer discouraged, but inspired. Aug. 19 also happened to be Spokane’s Unity in the Community celebration. Another reminder of the goodness, friendship and light in our world.
So thank you writers of letters to the editor. You have made a difference. You lifted me up, encouraged, and energized me. To those of you who don’t think your letters to the editor makes a difference, they do.
Amy McGarry
Spokane Valley