“Graffiti on Mount Tom” reads a headline in Thursday’s Daily Hampshire Gazette! “Trump 2016,” swastikas, “kill all the (n-word) and “gas the Jews” reported and misogynistic comments hurled on Northampton streets.
Here we are in our Happy Valley, dealing with the fallout from the campaign — hatred from those who were lucky to see their man elected! What would be unleashed if Hillary Clinton had won? Here’s what we need to see before Jan. 20 if there is a chance to bring our country to some measure of healing and unity: Truth and reconciliation from our president-elect. He must take full responsibility for what he has unleashed from the underbelly of the United States! He must APOLOGIZE (with full sincerity) and speak to his “minions,” whom he has given permission to lash out deplorably, about his trumpet call of “making America great (again)” — that vilifying and attacking “others” is not what this country is going to be about. If he doesn’t take action quickly, there will be blood in the streets of our America. Too many people in vulnerable communities are traumatized. Those of us who care deeply for the values that have made this country truly great must be vigilant and call out hatred wherever we see it. Give your support organizations that will help maintain the justice that we have known and protect the civil rights of ALL. God help us all!
Janet Hodos
Florence