This was to be a “Letter to the Editor,” but it’s more than that. It is also a letter to whoever has decided our town councilor and friend, Penny Ricketts, should be accosted in vile, despicable, and racist emails. Your intentions are unclear, but hopefully you realize now that the result is bringing her friends and constituents out in droves to support, encourage and comfort her.
We hope she can feel strongly enough supported to withstand your assault so she can continue working for, and with, the people of Greenfield, as she always has, with compassion, strength, intelligence and an incredible willingness to do what is best for everyone, perhaps even YOU. She does not shy away from controversy and is always open to discussing anything with anyone; she doesn’t hide behind the curtain of anonymity, as you have. If only you had her courage, intelligence, and compassion.
Furthermore, as horrible as this has been for Penny, it’s also revealed that there are a few hateful and ignorant people who feel the rhetoric and behavior of various political candidates and government officials have given them permission to attack viciously without restraint, rather than engaging in civil discourse around the obviously simmer issues within Greenfield. This became evident even before Penny’s situation when Pierce Brothers began enduring anti-Semitic attacks by someone known but whose behavior has basically gone unchallenged; Penny’s perpetrator has taken advantage of and expanded on this. What happens next? Who is the next target?
Support and encouragement on Facebook has been good but addresses a limited “preaching to the choir” audience. Hence this letter. Rational people in Greenfield need to call out these perpetrators more visibly, and clearly support Penny, Pierce Brothers, and anyone who might be confronted by these frightening — and they are frightening — attacks.
Cathy and Howard Barnard
Greenfield