First, you’ll be a great reporter someday if you can continue to be true to yourself and learn to leaven the bad with the good WITH a smile all the way…
I’m a writer, myself, and admire those who aspire to, and become, journalists for news and media. Your writing is REFRESHINGLY devoid of condescension (talking to readers as if they’re children, or ‘lesser’life forms), spirited and FRANK (great word for honesty, more blunt).

Now, on to this particular story… er, article… umm, MESS? lol
I was STUNNED when I found you were African American AND able to editorialize on this freakshow without the hobbles of shame or defensiveness that so many other blacks are using when referencing Ms. Allen’s lunatic binge.
THANK YOU. Stay COLORBLIND. The world needs more warm and humorous HONESTY.
Face it, we can all see this woman has made a fool out of herself, and admitting it could never begin to harm anyone else, especially her race, hometown, etc. She’s the only one who needs to be ashamed or defensive.
She could have been Asian, Latina, white or purple: nothing will change the fact she chose a black and white COW to represent herself in (as?).
It saddens me that there is not better facility in our country to assess and aid the mentally ill and/or incompetent.
She deserves our pity. But I appreciate the fact that no one was hurt, and we can all laugh at this one.
Maybe, someday, SHE can look back on all this and laugh, too.
Hoping she gets the help she NEEDS so desperately, between now and then.

Good luck on your career, DD.
Will read your pieces as often as I’m able, and watch you (and your expertise) grow.
Just call me
Auntie Shea
in Illinois