To the editor:, In early January, I made a bulk order of HATE HAS NO HOME HERE lawn signs and #NOHATE bumper stickers, which have been popping up throughout Hopewell Valley since that time. Over 300 lawn signs have been distributed to local residents, many of whom have shared them with friends in towns far and wide., The phrase “Hate Has No Home Here” was imagined by a 3rd grader at Peterson Elementary School in Chicago. A Chicago designer created the artwork and worked with friends to secure the translations. The additional languages on the sign – Urdu, Korean, Hebrew, Arabic and Spanish – include languages spoken by communities who have been the victims of recent hate speech and hate crimes., Recent events have made it clear that there is a significant misunderstanding in our own community about the sentiment conveyed by the sign. It is not intended to be partisan or even political. Instead, it is a message that I had hoped everyone could get behind. I feel very strongly that “NO HATE” has no exceptions – it means you should not hate someone based on their religious beliefs, heritage, race, gender, sexuality, political party, or who they voted for., I purchased these signs because of the recent spike not only in hate crimes, but also hateful words and rhetoric which have been heard throughout our country and even our own community. Muslim women have had their hijabs grabbed, and Mosques have been the target of threats and violence. Jewish cemeteries have been vandalized with swastikas, and JCCs have been the targets of bomb threats. Just across the river from us, swastikas were found spray painted in a local school. Hispanic students in our own district were told by some of their peers to “pack their bags.” A woman at the Denow Road Starbucks told an African American gentleman that “You’re going to hang from a tree….things are different now.” We need to understand that this IS happening in our country – including in our own community – and we ALL need to stand up against it., There are many ways to stand up against hate – and I invite every member of our community to do so. This does not mean we all need signs or bumper stickers. It is in our everyday conversations and interactions where the real work is done. If you see someone being harassed – speak up for them. If you find yourself in a conversation where racist comments are being made – say something, and let them know that it is not OK, not ever. Make an effort to understand someone with a different belief system than your own. Listen with not only your head, but also with your heart. Pass someone unfamiliar to you on the street? Give them a friendly and sincere hello. Encourage your friends and family to do the same on all fronts., It is my hope that when someone drives through our community, and sees these signs all around, they will get a clear message that we as a community are committed to fighting hate in all of its forms. Regardless of who we voted for, we are in this together. Let us think about how we can use this opportunity to come together as a community to combat hate., Heidi Wilenius, Hopewell Boro
