Letter
Dear
Fellow Citizens,
Stereotypes. Assumptions.We all make them, and I am wary of their
hazards.
This
past weekend, about twenty people who have known each other almost
50 years were gathered for fun and reconnection. Ironically, we were
talking about free speech and the necessity for us to learn even
from those with whom we disagree, and to do so civilly and
respectfully. Yet, since most of us were of a progressive, Democrat
affiliation, yes, the conversation became more strident about how we
fear for our country: the potential loss of health care, weakening
of environmental laws, under-staffed State Department, rise of the
alt-right, lack of support for public education, plight of the
refugees and DACA youth, fear of inadvertent war with North Korea,
etc., etc. So very much to worry about, from our point of view. But
throughout this, we ourselves grew less civil about the President,
and voiced some very negative assumptions about what might have
motivated any who voted for him.
Then,
one brave soul had the courage to admit she had voted for Trump- a
woman who has a heart of gold, has worked with immigrants, has lived
overseas, etc.
Yes,
this gave us all pause: who else in our very own families and
communities are we writing off because of what we assume?? And who
is writing me off because I’ve had signs in my yard supporting
Obama, Hassan, or the local library?
For 18
years I worked in a high school whose staff had very differing
political views, yet those did not keep us from collaborating to
create the best for our students. I’ve now lived for 42 years in
small town Gilmanton: yes, we’ve had some notable controversies, but
for the most part people serving on the School Board, Planning
Board, or Board of Selectmen are not identified by party and truly
try to solve problems for the good of our town.
Let’s
try to step back from our assumptions, listen, and find out what
connects us in our aspirations and concerns, and work together for
the good of our towns, our state and our country.
Sincerely,
Anne
Onion
Gilmanton
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