Also taking place on May 13, the Band Day Parade is a clear sign that the community can be united. People of all ages and background came out to support not only local bands, but also those who traveled to Bismarck from all across the state. (Dustin White)

Dustin White

Editor

Yesterday, May 13, was a historic day for Bismarck. For the first time in many years, a presidential candidate visited the city. In just a couple weeks, Bismarck will once again be the host to another presidential candidate; all in a state that is often overlooked during this voting season.

Whether one agrees with this candidate, or the next, these visits should be an honor. A little city, in the middle of a largely rural state, is having a focus placed upon it. It is being included in a process that is incredibly important for the country as a whole.

However, while a great deal of people felt honored and excited for this visit, as many others will no doubt feel for the upcoming visit, an underlying problem was also shown. Politics have truly divided the community, to a point that could easily bubble over into violence.



Witnessing this growing divide, I’ve made a decision that will help shape this publication. We will not be a political paper.

The decision was made after reading the many comments that pop up on other media, as well as some private, sources that delve into the political arena. Each time, the conversation breaks into bickering, and eventually name calling. Personal attacks are made on those who don’t believe the same way, and misinformation is continually spread. People have made up their minds, and everyone who believes differently is an idiot.

Such behavior flies in direct opposition as to what this paper is meant to accomplish. With starting this publication, my goal was to create a source of media that helped unify the community; to bring it together.

This goal can’t be accomplished by increasing the division already present by pushing political ideas, or by stocking the flames.

Instead, this publication will be taking an alternative route. We will focus on what unites this community; the histories, the cultures, the people. In doing so, the goal is to hopefully show that while there are major differences, we don’t need to allow them to tear the community apart, because there are also many similarities.

If you would like to support such a publication, one bound to making a positive difference in this community, go to www.gofundme.com/midwesterner, where you can help make this paper succeed.