Commentary-Village Voice

I picked up the last copy of the Village Voice in print form. It was announced earlier that the once venerable alternative newspaper was no longer in the paper form.

I first read the Voice around 1968 or 1969. It was almost as thick as the Sunday New York Times on occasion. One could read a particular topic from an alternative point of view. Everything from civil rights to gay liberation to womens rights to labor was discussed. No topic was left untouched. There were many rag sheets during the 1960s and 1970s (I read many of them). The Voice discussed issues in a rational and intelligent manner while still being edgy. One could find where the next rock concert would be or if a poetry jam was on McDougall or Bleecker Street. Voice reporters were at anti war dempnstrations, concerts, movies, a chess tournament or the do a review on the latest new restaurant.

With the rise of social media like Google and Facebook the Voice and other print becsme obsolete. So another alernative newsweekly bites the dust. It will be on the web but it's not the same as having those pages in your hand.

I miss picking up the Voice on newsstands. Thanks for all the memories.