“We are disappointed that such remarks were made during our graduation ceremony…..” was the quote from School Committee Chair Richard Kuklewicz, as reported in a June 12 Recorder article. This was in response to words spoken by former school superintedant Richard Martin in remembrance of a Franklin County Technical School student who was killed.
I’m disappointed that an act of love, care and compassion for fellow humans could elicit such a response. That this act caused “ire” and not compassion tells me a lot about the state of our society. I can only imagine the kind of world those who complained want to live in if someone is vilified for treating others in such a way. Some people want to make this a political argument. Faith knows no politics. Christian Walker’s mother, Ashley, seems to have accepted the words in the way they were intended.
As Christians we are taught to treat people with love and compassion. Praying for others is one way to do this. If a person doesn’t want another to love them or feel compassion for them that is their right, but to complain so vocally when they are given to a grieving family is unconscionable to me. You don’t have to like it, but you can’t stop us from loving our neighbors. I have found that those who are offended the most are those who need our love the most. I will pray for you.
Ellen Shaw
Shelburne Falls