The news last week that the ACLU and The Contributor had filed a lawsuit against the city for violating the freedom of speech left me conflicted. As a member of the press, in an age when real journalism seems under attack from both internal and external forces and when too many abuse the right of freedom of speech as a way to promote their own purposes, I take any real violations personally.

I buy The Contributor whenever I can, whenever I can purchase one safely. It consistently has some good stories and interesting features. As an admitted royal watcher, one of my favorite articles ever concerned Britain’s Prince William and why he is such a supporter of ventures like homeless publications that put people to work and give them hand up instead of a hand out.

I’ve always appreciated the way the vendors I’ve encountered have gone about their business. In a day when the “newspaper boy” has gone the way of the rotary dial phone and non-cable TV, seeing a newspaper vendor on a sidewalk is nostalgic if nothing else. Heck, the big paper downtown might try going back to newsboys hawking its product to improve circulation.

On the other side of the issue is a longstanding city code that prohibits anyone from using the public right-of-way to sell merchandise or materials. It’s equally enforced; a Girl Scout selling cookies would be cited as quickly as a Contributor salesperson if local authorities deemed the action dangerous.

In its defense, the city stated in a release from Brentwood City Manager Mike Walker that “walking into a public street to sell newspapers or anything else creates a safety risk.  It is not the City's intention to prohibit the sale of newspapers, nor does the City wish to discriminate against anyone, including persons who happen to be homeless.”

To its credit, the city is reviewing its policy and amending its ordinance to make sure it’s clear newspapers can be sold on city sidewalks as long as vendors don’t go into roadways.

Beyond the primary matter at hand, however, is something that makes my blood boil. It’s the stereotype that paints Brentwood as a snobby, prejudiced place that refuses to let its streets paved with gold be tainted by those considered less desirable than the people who live here.

It happened when the infamous Bethel family decided that Brentwood High School and Williamson County Schools would be would be the latest school and school system it would target and declare as unfriendly to the homeless.

Last week, a Tennessean columnist who I greatly respect and count among my professional friends took a pot shot at Brentwood.

“The city of Brentwood’s ban on homeless and formerly homeless newspaper vendors from selling on public sidewalks that front their sprawling big-box retail stores and lines of chain restaurants has gotten them sued.

“Good. Here’s hoping a federal judge throws the First Amendment at them,” Gail Kerr wrote.

I’ve emailed Gail offering to give her a personal tour of Brentwood soon. She may be surprised to see the amazing revitalization of Town Center, the Hill Center and other Brentwood retail areas that have more locally owned ventures than corporately owned ones.  While Brentwood once was the darling of chain restaurants, today those are the ones struggling while local and regional cafes flourish. Brentwood’s faith community provides not only funds but an amazing number of volunteers who help the underserved and disenfranchised both at home and around the world.

My church as well as many others in Brentwood welcome Room in the Inn “residents” on an ongoing basis. Habitat for Humanity in Williamson County  -- yes, there is a huge need for affordable homes here – knows that many of its homes were constructed with the generosity of and volunteer labor provided by Brentwood churches, businesses and residents, starting with our high school Habitat High clubs.

Stereotypes are dangerous things. The ill-informed comments about Brentwood are just as bad as the terrible and unwarranted things I’ve heard in the past few days about the ACLU and the homeless.

All of this is a wonderful reminder to be careful about what we say and do. Just because we can, doesn’t mean we should.

Susan Leathers is editor of Brentwood Home Page. Click here to read previous columns. Email her at susan@brentwoodhomepage.com