Kelsey’s story.
It brought tears to some readers, who were shocked at the brutality of the child’s abuse but also inspired by the child’s spirit and the determination of her new parents.
However, others found the Kelsey coverage too pandering and too soft. For them, human interest stories cannot and should not be featured over what they consider news of more substance and significance.
In case you missed it, the four-part series that ended last Sunday offered a moving and emotional look inside the lives of Sue and Chuck Minick, the Suffield Township couple who took in the little girl. And it gave you the sweetness of Kelsey’s sunny spirit, despite the prognosis of never again walking after her spine was broken by the man who adopted her from Russia.
Through the work of reporter Kim Hone-McMahan and photographer Paul Tople, you agonized with Kelsey as she battled terrifying nightmares, and then later as she endured painful medical procedures. You also realized the depth of the love and caring extended by the Minicks, who went to extreme lengths to bring the special child into their home.
Kelsey’s story. One of despair and hope, pain and healing, abuse and love.
To be sure, the majority of your reactions to this series were positive. “Thank you for sharing the courage of little Kelsey,” said one Akron reader. “What a blessing the Minicks came into Kelsey’s life,” said another. Other readers called to volunteer services or offer gifts to the family.
A grandmotherly sounding person was so outraged, she suggested a novel fundraiser. The man convicted of abusing Kelsey should be strung up in downtown Akron and people could purchase swings at him with an aluminum bat, she said. “I’ll give him a few swats myself.” I believe she was serious.
For one Stow reader, though, the series represented a lowering of the paper’s standards to appeal to a broader audience. “When I look at the Sunday front page, I see cutesy text and graphics where, to me, major local or national headlines belong.”
This is a complaint that I hear frequently, coming mostly from people who prefer the traditional, direct approach to the news. The Stow reader went on to say that even though he thought Kelsey was a great kid, he objected to the writing style of the articles and the way they were presented.
“I have stopped watching commercial TV for basically the same general reason I will soon not be buying the BJ anymore…. The changes that I see in the BJ are steering it away from a goal of intellectual quality.”
Indeed, the Kelsey series was written in a narrative story form, meaning events are revealed in sequence, often from a point of view of one of the participants. Traditional newspaper writing usually contains summary paragraphs at the start, with quotes and numbers sprinkled throughout.
The narrative style is becoming increasingly popular in American newspapers as readers appreciate the context, the revealing details and the drama contained in them.
For more opinions, I turned to a group of readers who regularly comment on the paper. Most applauded the series, offering special praise for focusing more on the positive aspects of the Minicks’ inspiring dedication to Kelsey.
“I salute this couple — they are real live heroes,” said Deborah Cunningham of Springfield Township. “I say that it’s about time such valiant stories are on the front page,” said Donna Paola of Jackson Township. “What an uplifting story!” said Janet Daily of Doylestown.
Not everyone agreed. “I feel one of the big mistakes newspapers have made over the past several years is trying to get too ‘touchy-feely,’” said Glenn Jambor of Stow. “Leave the emotional, human-interest stuff for TV.”
Perhaps the most interesting analysis came from Dick Freeman of Akron: “In all its configurations and facets, life is chronically messy, sometimes cruel, often exhilarating, usually surprising, occasionally uplifting, always interesting.
“A good newspaper reflects as many of these patterns as it can, and as I see it, the Beacon Journal’s series on this charming and ill-treated little girl attempted to bring us these reflections.”
Kelsey’s story.
Too sappy for some. Too intense for others.
For me, it was a compelling and intimate look at the extremes of the human condition.
