DEAR READER,

The story of Joe Donovan is a harrowing tale of justice gone blind and seriously bad. Locked up for life for a murder he didn’t commit, Donovan’s story is one that will make you cheer for the good guys, cry for the bad ones, and get lost in the conviction and eventual parole of a man seemingly forgotten in time and headlines. Chris Faraone has made sure of this, and in this week’s issue, you’ll read all about it.

Speaking of injustice, we also touch on the Boston Public School student walkout this past Monday and speak truth to the challenges young adults face every day in this city when budgets fall short and dreams are hijacked by political greed and malfeasance, never mind the laziness to do what’s right for our next generation. It doesn’t take a judge’s life sentence to sentence a young adult to a life without opportunity.

The notion that we can blindly go through our day, giving little thought to the world around us, is a selfish hole we dig, shovel in our hands and dirt under our fingernails, but all the while refusing to unearth these injustices just below our feet. Ignorance may be bliss, but the truth still matters, and the stories still need to be told. At the very least, understand them. Learn about them. And maybe one day, history won’t repeat itself, because we’ll finally realize we can’t allow it to.

Jeff Lawrence, DigBoston Publisher + Editor

OH, CRUEL WORLD

Dear Shark Tank,

I’m talking to all of you. The whole platoon of wealthy scumbags on that television show who take advantage of inventors and other poor suckers. It’s not that you’re rich, and in some cases obnoxious. It’s that you’re considered brilliant when the only thing you’re really doing is helping pollute the plant with more unnecessary garbage, shamelessly supplying the landfills of tomorrow. I know, I know—you do “green” products too. I’m glad you mentioned that, because your posturing yourselves as socially responsible entrepreneurs is the biggest insult of all. Just don’t fool yourselves. Great show, but your tank deserves an upper-decker.