This is part of an ongoing series titled Mailbag, items readers submit via email or our feedback form (not social media, everybody already sees that). We get a ton of feedback — this is not close to everything (it’s about 5%), but it’s a good sample.
In response to: So you’re a Democrat in Trump’s New America? A reality check.
“Are the butthurt crybabies in your office ok? Need anymore tissues? New name idea for your site: Charlotte’s liberal regressive agenda for the participation trophy generation.” – A
“Great perspective. More substance like this please.” – D
“Are you freaking kidding me? So the minute politics doesn’t go the way the Agenda founders wanted it to you throw objectivity out the window and refuse to post both sides of the story? How about an article on why a reasonable person voted for Trump (anti-socialism, smaller government, supreme justice appointment, sick of politicos that are pumped out of the system specifically groomed to ensure they can lie their way into our votes)? I don’t mind hearing other perspectives but I cannot understand only showing one side. I hope you guys (that is a term for y’all which I picked up living my childhood in the Boston area–I’m not “anti-woman” as I AM a female) are proud of yourselves for being biased and basically unaccepting of opposing views and reasoning. It’s interesting that many liberals will not hesitate to generalize and call all conservatives bigots and racists, while there are 59 million people who voted for the conservative candidate and that just simply isn’t the case. I’m scared to tell liberal friends that I am conservative because of the backlash and verbal abuse.” – A
“Your article on Trump’s victory was the best one I have seen anywhere. (And I scoured the articles in NYT, Washington Post and New Yorker). I too am a liberal democrat struggling with the sad realization that our country could elect this man. Your article crystallized all the reasons it’s so sad but that we have to keep going. Great job!” – K
“I can’t even read this poor excuse for a news source any longer.” – P
“This article again proves how a liberal mind can’t take an objective view on a situation. Trump did not win because he was male and Hillary was a female. I think most people would agree that both of these candidates were awful choices to lead America. The fact of the matter is, Donald Trump walked into the house and took a dump on American Politics kitchen table. He didn’t play by the rules and he wasn’t politically correct. This is why people voted for him. Regardless of how much you dislike his comments and how offensive they may be, the corrupt practices and shady dealings of American politics is always worse. Don’t be that person. Don’t play the female card. You are better than that.”
“This is not sports, where a decision to support a team is almost always completely arbitrary. This is not just an expression of taste, such as whether or not a person likes coffee. This was a decision between progressivism, multiculturalism, and liberal values VS. racism, nationalism, exceptionalism, and downright disgusting ideas (we’ve all heard the ‘grab’ tape and him calling all Mexicans rapists and on and on). To equate a family being disappointed by their child “defecting” to vote for a team with liberal, progressive values with a family being disappointed by a child defecting to vote for the candidate being cheered by the KKK is the definition of a false equivalency. Some ideas are simply better than others, and some opinions are downright dangerous to millions of people to hold. Millions of people will suffer under president Trump if he is able to enact any of his few stated policies, and he will be able to with the new Republican legislature.” – A
“I’m right there with you. I wish that having two daughters had been enough for my Dad. I wish being a woman had been enough for my Mom. I wish I had been enough. I know they love me, but God I wish I had been enough. PS – I just got out of a meeting with a man in his late 50s/early 60s where he stared at my chest the entire time and then afterwards he told my boss: ‘I guess she really does know what she’s talking about.’ I AM FIRED UP. So I guess it’s time for me to get to work.” – C
“Nothing about your article portrays you as – upper class” – M
“I’m sure it was hard for you to write, but I do thank you for acknowledging what many on the right have said repeatedly: ‘There’s an arrogance that permeates liberal rhetoric, popularized by funny, sarcastic, intelligent satirical commentators like Stephen Colbert, John Oliver and Bill Maher, that we’re always right and everyone else is a bumbling idiot.’ And therein lies the rub – ‘that we’re always right and everyone else is a bumbling idiot’ and I would add that you want your way and throw a fit when you don’t get it. Do you not think that every person, who has ever had their candidate lose didn’t feel the same way – sadness, hopelessness for our country etc? But it all comes back to that sad belief on the left, ‘that we’re always right and everyone else is a bumbling idiot.’ Newsflash: You’re not always right.” – G
“You guys are way too political. Can’t you just report the new events and what is happening in Charlotte?” – N
“Your article today really spoke to me. I, like you, never saw this coming. My dad kept warning this could and likely would happen – but I wrote him off as the boy who cried wolf (as is his want). I am still steaming mad that she didn’t get the job because she was a woman – and I DO believe that is a huge contributing factor. As a Hispanic woman who has carved out a modest amount of success in corporate America I am still making less than my male counterparts. And this disparity starts as young girls – we don’t ask for what we want/deserve because we don’t want to be unliked/unpopular. On the positive side this has mobilized me. I won’t sit back and think it will all work out, because that really only happens for middle class white guys (as my husband likes to tell me J).” – A
“A well-thought out and candid analysis. Much appreciated. Equality, truth and morality must win.” – P
“I typically rely on Axios Charlotte in a vain effort to stay current on various new social and entertainment options here in our growing (exploding) city; always appreciating the information and somewhat neutral and non editorial-ized content. With that said, I clicked on your article fully prepared to ‘hate read’ yet another article decrying this newly discovered ‘divide’ that so many have lamented about immediately following the election. The purpose of this letter is not to debate any of the reasons or faults of anybody or any group for the final result of the election but to thank you. Regardless of your choice of candidate, we will all have to live in and through the next four years together. Thank you for an honest and hyper self-aware point of view.” – R
“Reminds me of a tweet I read after they both accepted their nominations. It said something like, if you don’t think there is a double standard for women, try imagining Clinton accepting the Democratic nomination on stage with her 5 children from 3 different marriages. So true, and so, so depressing.” – A
“Your articles today are some of the most ignorant writings I have ever read. I am not sure what bubble you guys live in, but I’m 27 and I only know a couple of people that are upset about the election. I have a lot of black, Hispanic, women, and even a Muslim friend who voted for Trump! Where are the articles excited about his win? If Hillary would have won you guys wouldn’t have known what to do with your selves. I did not realize this was such a bias media source. At least be better than CNN.” – H
In response to: It’s not you, it’s me. Charlotte, I’m leaving you.
“It’s not you Charlotte, it’s me. But actually, it’s you (is what you said in the article).” – A
“Consider a roommate. Charlotte has grown and if she wants to live where everyone else obviously wants to live, the demand for housing is costing more. Get a roommate. Take the bus. Living in a city costs more. A two bedroom or even a three bedroom apartment is out there for less than $1400 or $2100 a month. Living along is expensive.” – L
In response to: Hits and misses at Tavolo, the new Italian restaurant on North College
“Tavolo review felt like forcefully bashing for the sole reason just to bring them down. I actually ate there Friday & had a marvelous time with friends who enjoyed all their dishes & especially the wine. (I’m actually in her pic above ‘the dipping bread’). Yes, some small things could have been better but it was a literally their first night open to work some kinks out.” – B
“I’m offended by your Hits and Misses stories. The name presupposes that every place you review will necessarily need to have a miss (and a hit). Why can’t your writers just write an honest piece about a new place and give an objective snapshot? This is made particularly rich by the fact that your writers will tout a place weeks or months before it actually opens (or before any of your staff has actually tried it) as ‘the next big thing’ and then subsequently criticize it upon first visit. Axios Charlotte has gone from a cool snapshot of what’s going on in Charlotte to what feels like a high school newspaper. Are you really satisfied with your content? Step it up.” – F
In response to: Charlotte area lands its first major sporting event since HB2 — but not without criticism
“Call off the outrage folks! Competitive horse dancing is coming to NC! Our long HB2 sports nightmare is over. Sure you may have wanted the NBA’s best on show for the weekend, but watching Barbaro do the Cupid Shuffle will be an adequate substitute.” – D
“I get it. I get that HB2 is terrible and has had an awful impact on our state. I hope Roy Cooper wins on Tuesday, so I don’t have to see McCrory’s face on my newsfeed anymore. BUT. Can we just take a step back? Just for a moment? This announcement is huge. Massive. Gargantuan. The FEI World Equestrian Games are no joke, and Tryon is hosting. TRYON. A facility that is not in Kentucky – the horse capital of the country. Not in Germany, where some of the best horses in the world are bred. Freaking Tryon, in tiny baby Mill Springs, NC. A place that I would assume 90% of Charlottean’s didn’t even know existed up until a few days ago. I wish you would take a second stab at writing this article. I wish you would have driven to Tryon to see the facility. Because it is magnificent. I wish you would have actually provided some information regarding the 2018 World Equestrian Games. Why you should go and experience this once-in-a-lifetime event, even if you have never seen a horse. Why, despite the awfulness that is HB2, this event deserves massive amounts of fanfare. And why this announcement should be celebrated, not politicized.” – G
In response to Ted’s newsletter intro on November 7
“First annual, Ted? First annual??? I believe the term you are looking for is inaugural. Hearing people say first annual is like nails on a chalkboard to me. I thought you were a team of journalists.” – A
In response to: High end Mexican restaurants like Comida will struggle in Charlotte because of the Sabor Effect
“The only thing you could put in a margarita to make it worth $14 is a $10 bill.” – D
“First off I read your postings every day and love the content you all put out. But seriously you all are obsessed with Sabor or they have you on retainer. Either way I would prefer to not read another article referencing Sabor until you head down to South Blvd and check out real some of our real Mexican restaurants. Specifically try La Unica. Get their ‘street’ tacos. Cheaper and better than Sabor every day. Sabor was really not that good. The rice was mushy and the salsas were meh and what’s up with $2 for chips. Theres another place down the road from La Unica as well or at least it used to be. Taqueria de Mexico, I think. Also really good. So I hate to break the news to you but Sabor not that great. In fact I can walk there from work but never make it there because Viva Chicken is soooo amazing. Everything amazing. Get the corn salad and canary beans. I wonder if they are open for breakfast?” – S
“I see where your going with the article. But you failed to realize that ‘Sabor’ is NOT Mexican food. In fact, this is pretty clear just by the title of the food spot (Sabor Latin Street Grill). A simple glance at the restaurant’s website would’ve led you to this: ‘Sabor Latin Street Grill will give you the scents, tastes and flavors as if you were wandering the streets of Latin America. Sabor, Spanish for flavorful, encompasses the Latin culture where food stands and trucks play a large role. Just like in the streets of the Latin American countries, Sabor specializes in serving the freshest, most authentic, made to order dishes. No compromises.’ (See Key words above: Latin America, Latin American) By labeling Sabor as Mexican or even comparing to an actual Mexican restaurant (Comida) leads me to believe that: 1. You lack knowledge on Latino and Mexican culture AND/OR 2. Don’t care enough to learn about these cultures to write your article. AND/ OR 3. Assume all Latino food is Mexican (See points 1 & 2) AND/OR 4. Have a specific agenda to shine a brighter light on one these two established restaurants (Sabor) instead of encouraging collaboration, food diversity and folks to go and try both and judge for themselves. Axios Charlotte tends to have great content about what goes on in the city but if the site can improve somehow, it’s by changing the following: The site comes across as targeted to a specific audience (Caucasian). Please understand that folks of all gender, race, ethnic backgrounds read your postings daily. At the very least, research information so posts aren’t offensive because cultural inaccuracies. In the eyes of many, Charlotte is already seen as a city that lacks diversity. Culture isn’t ‘hard to change’. As a matter of fact, it is quite the opposite, culture is derived from change. Culture is COMPELLED by change.” – D
In response to: Park Road Shopping Center and Atherton Mill give rich people what they want, not what they need
“It’s very interesting timing in reading this article as recently I was asked by a good friend who lives in another city about the impact that the riots had on me. I live near Blakeney and commute to Southpark to work. He wondered if I had a sense of being at ground zero being ‘technically’ a city resident, or if it felt like he did watching it unfold on TV at a safe distance. My response was that to me it did feel that I was watching the riots happening in a completely different city. It wasn’t the surreal feeling that our city was having riots. It felt like it could have been occurring anywhere else. So at that moment I felt that I had insulated myself into this white homogeneous middle class, safe suburban lifestyle. Not consciously purposeful; but probably subconsciously as we had wanted to live in suburban S. Charlotte where we had good schools, nice shopping, adequate sidewalks, safe streets for exercising or walking dogs or kids, etc. There’s no harm in that and I don’t feel guilty. But it was an interesting thought that my friend planted; and again brought up by Ted’s article.” – A
