We Get Letters: Yellow Journalism

Dear Editor and Publisher of Pasadena Now,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Esprit Loren Jones, a Pasadena resident for over 40 years and the current Chair of Pasadena’s Community Police Oversight Commission. 

Today, I write to express my deep concern regarding the recent misinformation propagated by the Pasadena Police Department and the failure on the part of Pasadena Now to present a more accurate narrative.

Allow me to clarify that I am not representing the Community Police Oversight Commission in this letter. Instead, I speak as a lifelong resident deeply invested in the welfare of my community. My roots in Pasadena run deep, with my grandparents meeting, marrying, and raising their family here. This city is not just my home; it is a part of who I am. Therefore, I cannot idly stand by while false narratives tarnish the history and evolution of this community.

We must face the truth about our city’s history and present circumstances. The responsibility lies with us to report accurately, particularly in articles that impact our community. The perpetuation of over-policing in Black and Brown neighborhoods and the fostering of discrimination and racial bias have deep-seated consequences. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to dismantle these harmful narratives.

I pen this letter with a sense of duty to rectify the misinformation that has been disseminated, not only by the Pasadena Police Department but also through platforms like Pasadena Now. The impact of these inaccuracies reverberates throughout our community, causing harm and further marginalizing those who have historically been disenfranchised.

While I acknowledge the minimal level of professionalism exhibited by Pasadena Now in issuing corrections to their original reporting, it should be noted that this does nothing to undo the damage of the ‘yellow journalism’ headline that we awoke to on Monday morning. A correction, no matter how prompt, does not fully address the harm caused by misleading headlines that shape public perception.

I urge Pasadena Now to issue a public apology to the community for its role in spreading irresponsible and harmful statements. It is crucial that media outlets take responsibility for the narratives they contribute to (AS SHOULD THE PPD) as these narratives shape perceptions, policies, and the overall well-being of our community.

Esprit Loren Jones