By MICAH WILKINS
Northeast News
August 13, 2014

Within the past two months I’ve tried, both literally and figuratively, to throw myself into the Northeast neighborhood of Kansas City.

Eight weeks ago, I accepted a position as the editorial intern for the Northeast News. Five weeks ago I moved into a house in Indian Mound. Last week I drew up preliminary plans to build a chicken coop in my tiny yard. I’m getting settled.

I grew up in midtown Kansas City and for years the Northeast was a mystery to me. Even after this short stint at the Northeast News, the neighborhood is still somewhat of a mystery. Sometimes I’ve been upset or disappointed, uncomfortable walking around to report on my assignments. Other times, I have felt completely uplifted and energized by the people I interview.

The Northeast News, to me, is a community newspaper. Its goal is to report on the neighborhood, in its entirety-the good and the bad, the comfortable and the afflicted. Though my internship at the paper is coming to a close, I will continue writing for the paper, pitching story ideas and following where my curiosity takes me, all with the intent of expanding its coverage area. What is the “real” Northeast? As I flip through the pages of this weekly paper, who is missing? What voices aren’t being heard? And finally, how can I, how can we, work to seek out and include those voices?

Thank you, Michael, for facilitating my plunge into the Northeast. It may be a while until I resurface.