Above: Non-partisan lawn signs promoting an anti-hate message are being ordered for Southborough residents. You’re invited to take part. (contributed image)
A group of residents is inviting you to help combat hate crimes and prejudice with a positive message.
“Hate Has No Home Here” is a message being spread across the country. Some Southborough residents have launched a local group to spread the word in town. Using Facebook to communicate, they are encouraging residents of all political affiliations to embrace the cause and order a lawn sign.
Here is the announcement:
In Response to the shooting that occurred at Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on October 27, 2018 and other hate crimes in the news, residents of Southborough wish join with others throughout the country in the national HATE HAS NO HOME HERE lawn sign campaign.
The campaign is not affiliated with any political party and the leaders ask that it not be used in political ways. Everyone is welcome as we address the issue of hate crimes and prejudice, and we keep our language bipartisan.
You will start seeing the first 50 lawn sighs signs we ordered in the next few days, and we will be placing another order soon, cost is $5.00 per sign.
Go to our Facebook Group to Place your requests “Southborough Area HATE HAS NO HOME HERE.”
Everyone who is anti-hate is welcome in this group, you don’t have to be from Southborough but will need to pick up your lawn sign at a Southborough location.
PEACE
Freddie Gillespie
Updated (11/9/18 10:04 am): On a related note, some members of the group will be participating in tonight’s anti-hate Friendship Circle at Congregation B’nai Shalom in Westborough. Click here for a reminder of those details.
Very good campaign and let us all not forget that hate and respect take many forms. For example do we treat those whom we disagree with respect whether it be our neighbors or those we elect ? it is the little things that can make a an enormous difference. Love respect do not need a campaign.
Couldn’t agree more, with the added proviso that some town officials are disrespectful to the public and have lost credibility with their alleged misconduct and dirty tricks. Respect is a two way street.
Town officials need guidelines. Some are disrespectful to citizens the point of a militaristic, inappropriateness for town government, not to mention the way they treat other town officials. It’s simply unbelievable in terms of lack of accountability, mostly by those sitting next to them. Instead of embracing public concerns and feedback, including from other town officials, some, not all, behave to the point of addressing input with outright Teflon unaccountability, no dialog whatsoever of transgressions (in fact more likely defend misconduct), and undemocratic (and possibly illegal) stifling of public input and the opinion of town volunteers. Take a look at the last BOS meeting, public comment section. After viewing that, some have lost my support and vote for good. Hopefully, the good town officials turn in the disgusting ones and hold them accountable. (BOS does not know how to keep and approve legal minutes? Really? Omitting public business and votes from minutes, really? Intentional or not, it’s all not ok and competence and diligence cannot be lacking when it comes to keeping the public informed. Undermining a town wide voted upon and approved enactment? Really? This is an unbelievable trampling of the democratic process). Kudos to the citizens who pay attention and inquire about questionable behavior. In my humble opinion, when those officials are voted out, and the concerning legal advice they are getting is gone, the town will see improved function and normalcy.
Thanks for to the community leadership on this campaign. It is a good campaign and good reinforcement for neighbors and town government. It is a good reminder on national, state, and local levels in light of recent events in Pittsburgh and elsewhere.
Glad to see that someone has taken the lead to try to put an end to all of this hate/ madness that we are hearing about way to often.
My concern is that the sign implies that hate has a home somewhere. Why not simply say that hate is unacceptable. The sign is also does seem to be not all that different to political signs in the not too distant past
Unfortunately hate does have a home … starting in the White House and in every home willing to give this administration a pass.
Just one question: Do you think that Antifa is a hate group?
Frank Crowell –
Great question . . . considering that Antifa’s demonstrated behavior includes burning storefronts, sucker-punching Conservatives on sidewalks, accosting Republicans and pro-Trumpers in public restaurants, and last week – nearly breaking in the front door of political talk show host Tucker Carlson , leaving his wife in shaking fright – hiding alone at home in the pantry.
I think actions speak louder than words, and I have some additional questions:
At what point does a different perspective or opinion become characterized as “Hate” ??
Who is the [mythical/ largely fictitious] authority with the unbiased and balanced judgement to make the call?
I think we can all circle the wagons on the belief that blind hate is unacceptable. But I’m even more concerned about a growing trend in shutting down and shackling debate, critical thinking, “tolerance”, and open discussion.
I believe in accentuating the positive by saying:
💞 Love Lives Everywhere 💞
I truly appreciate the efforts behind this campaign. I worry about us looking for the wrong emotion in each other.
Everyone who is anti-hate is welcome in this group, you don’t have to be from Southborough but will need to pick up your lawn sign at a Southborough location.
Is a message of exclusion and social ostracism rather than dialogue really the best remedy to ameliorate the prejudice or “hate” that someone perceives in others? Other than boosting one’s own self esteem, what practical solution is likely to come out of it?
Why not instead promote dialogue, understanding, tolerance and love between and toward all others? It holds the accuser to the same standard, is more relevant to everyday life (as separate from criminal law enforcement), and less subjective and less judgmental at the margins.
The main problem with “anti-“ campaigns is somebody must first define what you’re against, in this case “hate”. Who is appointed to determine that? And what exactly are we talking about here? Are certain religious tenants hateful? Does “hate” encompass the kind of hate crime hoaxes we’ve seen meant to stir fear and antipathy in the larger population as much as any genuine intimidation attempt?
Unfortunately, as the group acknowledges, the word “Hate” itself has become politicized and stretched to mean just about any partisan public policy difference that an accuser wishes to use as a means of casual slander.
Meanwhile, “Anti-Hate” has become an excuse for mob threats, intimidation and violence. The hypocrisy is obvious when someone is seen beating another using his picket sign that reads “Peace”. Less so when you are self-righteously crushing with that log in your eye what you claim is the “Hate!” in others. And that disconnect between means and ends is a basis for reasoned trepidation.
As for effectiveness, I’m not sure an “anti-hate” sign on Tucker Carlson’s front lawn would have dissuaded his intimidators.
“Tucker Carlson… We know where you sleep at night.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpJZvAbvIgw&feature=youtu.be&t=9
I don’t know that it’s worth reading too much into a yard sign. When I see them (especially in quantity) it tells me that this is likely a community that is engaged and took the small step of displaying so… you can try and dissect the specific text but I don’t think most people are that concerned with the verbiage beyond that they wish to show that they care about others… If you walk around with tinted glasses you’ll find political messages in everything. Take em off…