To the Editor:

If you were looking to ignite a political debate over federal assistance programs and morality, you have succeeded. Unfortunately, one of our community members has been stigmatized, embarrassed and hurt as a result. I was under the impression that The Tidewater News was a fact based and respectable publication, not a tabloid. I feel like it would be one thing to report on Ms. Keys if her case were being used in legislation on federal assistance programs, but it would seem that your publication merely hoped to gain more attention with her story.

It is no one’s business but hers what her income is, family size is, or living circumstances are. We all have the right to choose how many children we bear or adopt. Ms. Keys also has the right to privacy. It’s a shame that these poor children have been brought into such stigma and that Ms. Key’s joy was muffled.

How would you feel if your business had been broadcast to the entire community? Would you feel embarrassed? Maybe hesitant to seek help in fear of retribution or as a means to avoid staring eyes?

I absolutely would. Take a step back and put yourself in her shoes. Right, wrong, or indifferent, Keisha’s choices are her own.

I hope that The Tidewater News makes more responsible choices in the future on what is printed onto its pages.

Jessica Xinos

Courtland