Won't You Be Our Neighbor

With our President promoting white supremacy on his Twitter account, and retweeting videos designed to inflame hate against Muslims (and more), public declarations of unity resonate more than ever.

Strolling down one of Chelsea’s most romantic, old-New-York blocks, this sign sparked a huge smile. And some troubling thoughts. Who would have thought we’d have to remind passersby that ALL people are welcome in our neighborhoods? Or that I would pause to worry that what today amounts to a political act might also be a dangerous one.

It was not too long ago that white Freedom Riders were regularly beaten bloody—many even killed—for defending the rights of African-Americans. Could displaying a loving message written in English, Spanish and Arabic possibly incite such retaliation?

Last year, fliers declaring April 3, “Punish a Muslim” Day in the U.S. and U.K., promised “points” to those who attacked Muslims, ranging from 100 points for beating up a Muslim to 1,000 for fire-bombing a mosque. The fear among Vermont’s Muslim community was so great that local officials had to publicly go on record and vow to protect them. With the FBI reporting a 17% increase in hate crimes over the last two years (including a 57% spike in anti-Semitic incidents!), public assertions to love and protect one another are vital (and in ways big and small, this blog serves as one).

Muslims speaking out in their own defense are labeled as nothing more than trying to protect their own interests. So it’s important that we lend them—and any group under siege—our voice. I’ll resist imagining how many points one might receive for quieting us.

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The sign, designed by Portuguese design firm Portunite, is available for purchase at redbubble.com.