Bravo to Ivette Lee: Please run for office
Plaudits to Ivette Lee, who apologized for spreading a false transgender rumor (letter Sept. 21). I can’t be the only reader who reacted by saying, “Why doesn’t she run for public office?”
Imagine our leaders at the national, state, or local level acknowledging being wrong on an issue, any issue, and apologizing for it! Wow! Ms. Lee learned an important lesson, one many media folk have obviously not learned.
Transgender use of restrooms is a volatile issue, but while it is definitely one this country has to wrestle with, the essential point here is not transgender issues, but rush to judgment which bombards us every day. In the age of the Edward R. Murrows and Walter Cronkites, triangulating one’s sources was a professional standard to rely on to increase accuracy in reporting. Sadly that standard doesn’t seem to be in favor now.
You are not alone, Ms. Lee. I’ve “jumped the gun” myself, more times than I’d like to admit, so bravo, lady. Lesson learned by you, and hopefully by those of us who read your letter. Don’t rush to judgment.
Joan Newcomb, Fresno
This story was originally published October 6, 2016 at 4:30 PM with the headline "Bravo to Ivette Lee: Please run for office."