If life has felt a bit heavy lately, you are not alone. Between the divisiveness of the political climate that has bled over into our personal lives, social media that has us either doom-scrolling or comparing our lives to a shallow peek at someone else’s, and constant news cycle, it can be easy to feel swallowed by the depth of it all.
In times like these, it’s important to unplug, find balance, and focus on the good in the world—even if we have to seek it out ourselves.
One of my favorite quotes is in Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, when it seems all hope is lost and Frodo is ready to give up, but Sam gives him the strength he needs to keep fighting with these words: “There’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it’s worth fighting for.”
If you look for them, there are glimmers of hope all around us—and they come in the shape of actions, big and small. There are people in every community who are creating, giving, and doing—without any expectation in return other than to leave this planet better than they found it. And because they are altruistic in nature, their stories often go untold.
When I learned the uplifting news that Nebraska Public Media had acquired the rights to continue publishing The Reader—eight months after its final issue—I felt compelled to be part of it.
This publication has been a treasured piece of Omaha’s subculture scene for as long as I can remember, and I was moved to see its legacy carried forward by those who understand its unique role in our community.
I grew up alongside the publication, and I loved picking up a copy and flipping through its pages in a cozy coffee shop, admiring the stories and photos.
As I wrote in its “final” issue in September of 2023 to commemorate its impact, “There’s a certain feeling you get when you pick up a copy of The Reader. You feel…connected. To the community, to the arts, to what’s happening.”
Its resurrection came at the ideal time. I felt ready for another writing adventure, and the idea of developing a cultural column to help support the new iteration of the publication piqued my interest.
In both my career and personal life, I am driven by the desire to highlight our collective why. I want to explore stories about the local individuals, causes, and cultural events that enrich our community and contribute to a better Omaha and beyond.
And so here we are, with the launch of my column, “Cause & Culture.” I hope to shine a bright light on the people and organizations driving real change, offer a meaningful look at how efforts are impacting our city’s culture and vitality, and inspire readers by giving a platform to the rich diversity and humanity found in Nebraska, sometimes in unexpected places.
By sharing stories that uplift and connect us, this series will aim to help foster a stronger sense of togetherness while aligning with The Reader’s longtime mission of cultural reporting, and Nebraska Public Media’s mission to provide diverse and impactful news and information in every community.
Ultimately, I hope Cause & Culture cultivates a space to bring awareness to the progress and positivity in our own little corner of the world, so we can take time to celebrate the good things about being human—together.
As Galadriel in the Lord of the Rings reassures Frodo, “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.”
Thank you for reading along.
Mikala Harden