As Bowie says in his song Changes, its time to turn and face the strange.
Like most media outlets, LEO is going through some changes, and one of those is losing our fearless leader Scott Recker as he branches out into other things. This means that someone else has to step up into his place, and LEOs owner Euclid Media Group asked me to do it.
Did I hesitate? Yes, because sometimes I just enjoy being in my lane and flying under the radar and maybe, this was too big a task considering all that this little newspaper that could has been through. We struggle, yall.
Were not above free coffee, food and the occasional lucrative partnerships especially that last part.
But LEO, like Louisville, is kind of special to me.
Its been there through many seasons of my adult life and always a place I would go to read or find something that I couldnt find elsewhere. It was the paper of the weirdos, the underserved, the folks who didnt have a voice elsewhere. From drag shows, to art, to poetry, to cosplay, to concerts, we found community in its pages. We also found our way to the local porn shops, but this is a no-judgement zone.
LEO covers things that other outlets do, but most of the time, we do it in a way that is very much our own. Love it or hate it, the sometimes sardonic and biting tone of LEO lets us have discussions other outlets cant. We dont have the pretense or the need for filters in the way that other outlets do. Its something were fiercely protective of.
With that in mind a job that lets me speak the truth, be in community and share space with my favorite people in the world, Louisvillians I said yes to the job (cue panic attack).
Were more than smart asses, though (insert diabolical grin). Were also creators, taxpayers, homeowners, voters, parents, etc. Were Louisvillians. The issues and people of our city matter a whole lot to us. Were not outsiders talking without experience, here.
Im aware that while weve been good at speaking truth to power for a long time, and that we are focused most of the time on punching up instead of down, the challenges weve faced as an outlet ownership changes, staff changes and reduced budgets have left us a bit battered and in a bit of an identity crisis.
What is LEO and who is LEO for?
Simple answer is that its in our name: Louisville Eccentric Observer. Were here for Louisville.
Louisvilles landscape has changed since our founding in 1990. Its more diverse (from the people to the food and experiences the recent Asian Night Market comes to mind), still DIY, still leaning left (yes!), and nurtures a great art, theater, performance scene and finally decent nightlife.
LEOs borders used to be really focused in the Highlands, Crescent Hill and Germantown our original stomping grounds but its just not possible for us to exist in the vacuum of those areas anymore and neglect all of the other fascinating parts of the city and the people who live there.
We know that well never be all things to all Louisvillians, but we can be more adept at reaching the stories in areas that we havent before. We can be better at inviting more people to our table and having difficult conversations in a way that is productive and helps our city grow more equitable. We can also be more fun, more creative, more risk-taking.
Our print version is on a biweekly schedule (every other week), and we keep a daily digital schedule. We can do things that we couldnt before and bring you LEO in a new way. I dont think weve given ourselves enough room to breathe and enough time to remember that were part of Louisville, its past, and hopefully, its future.
It isnt lost on me that my very existence in LEO is proof that Louisville has changed. LEO hasnt had a lot of Black folks on staff. A few of us here and there, and never in the editors chair. Its major that I have this opportunity, and it means that part of my responsibility is that I remember the past and make what is possible for the future better and fairer, if I can.
When I assume the role of editor-in-chief in January, I hope that LEO can step out of the shadow of what weve been and into the LEO that still has some breath to breathe, some stories to tell, and most of all, a community that cares about it, even if we make you angry. We really are here for you.
P.S. Look for the Letters to the Editor to return because I miss hearing your voices and knowing whats on the mind of the city. Get your caps fingers ready.
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This article appears in November 22, 2022.
