At recent Ashland Planning Board and Library Trustees meetings, the public comment periods were interrupted by anonymous callers for the sole purpose of virtual hate speech. Both instances included antisemitic, homophobic and racist epithets. The worst of humanity has become a common occurrence at public meetings throughout the country.
It's natural for the community to express outrage and to show support for those who were the targets of these attacks. We should expect our elected leaders to articulate the community's outrage. At the same time, we are also expected to acknowledge the right of free speech, regardless of the content. Unfortunately, these intruders are anonymous cowards and can't be identified. The opportunities to both respond and place responsibility for this hate speech is denied.
Regardless of where in America we live, this country has come to be defined, not by our commonality, but by our differences. We seem unable to celebrate our differences, those unique qualities that made America "the melting pot". We are diminished as a people and our standing in the world weakened.
Massachusetts is known for quality education opportunities, excellent health care,
high median household income, low percentage of residents without heath insurance, high educational attainment. Despite the favorable rankings compared to most states, Massachusetts also has a dark side.
The Anti-Defamation League (https://www.adl.org) produces a tool called the H.E.A.T (Hate, Extremism, Antisemitism, Terrorism) Map. According to the ADL Website, the map "is the first-of-its-kind interactive and customizable map detailing specific incidents of hate, extremism, antisemitism and terrorism by state and nationwide".
The ADL map paints a stark and disturbing picture. A picture describing the increase in antisemitism, homophobic, and white supremacist activities. Not an attractive picture. The increase in numbers are staggering, both nationwide and in Massachusetts. And these are the reported events. How many racist, antisemitic and homophobic acts are not reported? In my mind, this is a national epidemic, comparable to gun violence, mass shootings, and opioid overdoses.
The frustrating part is the communal hand-wringing that accompanies these events. We react from one event to the next, trot out the obligatory statements, and then move on. Well-meaning residents create organizations intended to bring folks together. Towns create more committees, basically to preach to the choir.
I dislike writing and sounding so negative. This is another example of tyranny by the minority. Most of us care for each other, that we make commitments to improve our communities and support all community members. What is different today are the platforms that allow anonymous cowards to attack, intimidate and bully.
The Select Board created a Mission Statement in 2015. In the past, it was read at every meeting. The Statement reads: "The Ashland Board of Selectmen is dedicated to promoting responsible fiscal management, advocating for sustainable development & growth and providing excellent municipal services which will enhance the quality of life in our diverse community. The Ashland Board of Selectmen is committed to providing clear goals and objectives for Town management and creating effective engagement and public participation with residents, state legislators and other elected officials in order to achieve our mission".
Maybe it's time that the Mission Statement is revised and reflect some unfortunate realities. A statement that clearly articulates a stand against words of hate and division, against the cowards who chose to target our communities. A statement that clearly speaks in support of all community members.
Will a revised mission statement, and the reading at meetings prevent this hate, prevent attacks on volunteers. Obviously not. But it does offer an alternative message to the community at large that stands against those that hate.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
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