[Apologies if you already received this post last night. Human error.]
A woman fell into a manhole and died on Fifth Avenue in New York City a few weeks ago. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.
Like most New Yorkers, I walk over manholes every day without giving them a second thought. They’re part of the landscape, as ordinary as sidewalks and watching dogs poop on said sidewalks. But after hearing about this tragedy, I found myself looking down with each step. Suddenly, something I had always assumed was safe no longer felt guaranteed.
And it made me wonder: when something is broken (really broken) what can we actually do about it?
We all get outraged. The cost of prescription drugs. Garbage on the streets. A dangerous intersection. A local park falling apart. Most of us vent to friends or post on social media and leave it there. But there’s another option: write a letter.
How did writing to lawmakers even start?
The right to petition government is so important it’s protected by the First Amendment. Long before email and social media, Americans wrote letters to their elected officials about everything from civil rights to crumbling sidewalks. A single letter rarely changes history, but thousands often do.
Does writing to your lawmaker actually work?
The short answer is yes. Legislative offices track constituent communications carefully. Staff members log calls, emails, and letters and report trends back to elected officials. Personalized messages carry more weight than form letters, especially at the local and state level where officials represent fewer people.
Will one letter change a politician’s deeply held beliefs? Probably not. But it can elevate an issue and show lawmakers what matters to voters.
Three tips for writing a letter that gets read
1. Get to the point immediately Don’t bury the reason you’re writing in the third paragraph. Start with it. “I am writing to urge you to support Resolution 455.” Or: “I am a resident of your district and am concerned about pedestrian safety following the recent manhole tragedy in Manhattan.” Staff members process hundreds of messages. Help them understand your position right away.
2. Make it personal Facts matter, but stories are memorable. Explain how an issue affects you or someone you know. Personal experiences help lawmakers understand what statistics look like in real life.
3. Keep it short A letter doesn’t need to be long to be effective, in fact, shorter is often better. Stick to one issue. One page is plenty. Be respectful, clear, and specific about what action you’d like the lawmaker to take. Think of it less as writing an essay and more as making a compelling case.
As someone who has spent years collecting, reading, and writing letters, I sometimes wonder whether we’ve forgotten how powerful they can be. Not just for staying connected or preserving memories, but for actually making change.
The next time something makes your blood boil, consider writing to the person who might truly have the power to do something about it. You may not get the outcome you want, but democracy works best when citizens participate. And sometimes that participation begins with a few carefully chosen words. And a stamp.
With love (and one eye on every manhole I pass),
P.S. If there’s an issue bothering you, whether it’s prescription drug prices or that neighbor who never picks up after their dog, here’s where to find and contact your elected officials: usa.gov/elected-officials. You may be surprised by how good it feels to move from frustration to action.
SONG OF THE WEEK
Dear Mr. President by P!nk
