I am 12 years old, a sixth grader at Marion Cross Elementary School, and an out lesbian to my family, friends and the students in my grade. Recently I was outside Dan & Whit’s with my brother, buying ice cream. In front of us in line were two people from my school. They were having a normal conversation, until one noticed me, turned around to his friends, and loudly announced— literally announced — “Lesbo!” For those who don’t know, “lesbo” is an offensive and derogatory term for lesbians.
Then the perpetrators whispered among themselves and mocked my younger brother. I was shocked, angry, sad, confused and shamed. Those are the kinds of emotions hate speech evokes. I don’t know the person who said this well, so I prayed someone else — preferably an adult — would intervene. But no one did. Of the 15 or so grown-ups in the area, I’m guessing seven or more heard this remark. Not one of them told the boys in line to knock it off, that they can’t say that insulting stuff to other kids. All those people from my small town just walked on by, ignoring the slur.
If you witness something like what I just described, please help. These painful experiences can cause trouble later in life, and (as I already know) they build up. Kids should be held accountable for shouting this kind of language at others. I shouldn’t have to fight as one person against this societal hate impressed into young minds. I need reinforcement in the moment.
The irony of it all is that this incident happened right under the nice banner that says “Hate Does Not Grow in the Rocky Soil of Norwich, Vermont.” After this experience, I’m not so sure about that.
Does it?
ROXANA SHARLET
Norwich
Calvin Coolidge is often misquoted as having said, “The business of America is business.” He actually said, “The chief business of the American people is business.” Outside of the irony of having the few words Silent Cal ever uttered in public being misquoted, his statement can be reconstrued to achieve an understanding that is relevant almost 100 years later.
Rearrange his words to read, “The business of business is the American people,” and we discover an insight recently espoused by a significant segment of corporate America. Businesses are speaking out against voter suppression bills in a number of states. They have come to realize that any steps taken to erode democracy not only damage our republic but also damage business.
Sadly, New Hampshire is one of the states where the Legislature has filed dozens of bills attacking the freedom of some to vote. When students, the elderly, the disabled and the poor are disenfranchised through unnecessarily strict voting laws, we all suffer. It means New Hampshire’s reputation for having an excellent electoral system is ruined. It means students will choose not to come to New Hampshire for their college education. It means it will be harder to keep younger workers in the state or to attract talented employees. In short, if we and the business leaders of New Hampshire don’t speak up against efforts to manipulate our democracy, our economy and our way of life will suffer.
The nonpartisan New Hampshire organization Open Democracy is asking business leaders to endorse its “A Healthy Democracy is Good Business” declaration (OpenDemocracyNH.org/goodbusiness), which provides businesses with a voice to make sure all Granite Staters can exercise their freedom to vote. The declaration will be shared with legislators to send the message that the freedom to vote shall not be infringed and that our republic’s health depends upon a healthy democracy.
Charles Wilson, former General Motors president and secretary of defense under Eisenhower, was ridiculed for saying during his confirmation hearings, “what was good for our country was good for General Motors, and vice versa.” He may have been right.
BILL SECORD
West Lebanon
This year, Green Up Day was just not going to happen, but it did! Led by Hartford Town Planner Matt Osborn, three Green Up dumpsters sponsored by White River Subaru were filled and 200 to 300 volunteers filled them with possibly the most bags ever.
Overcoming rain, wind and cold, the weather broke, which allowed a great picking day. More than 700 bags were distributed, with outstanding contributions from many individuals.
Pristine roads now greet visitors in Quechee Village, where about 70 volunteers filled one dumpster with Green Up Day bags. Volunteers also covered Christian Street in Wilder and filled a pickup truck. Others teamed up to do the entire length of the Quechee-West Hartford Road, Quechee Main Street to the Taftsville bridge, Old Quechee Main Street and Hartland Road. Still others climbed and picked in the hills.
The Quechee Garden Club contributed approximately 30 volunteers. Mary Davidson led the Vermont Institute of Natural Science group, and volunteers from Trout Unlimited, the Jericho Community Association, Community College of Vermont, Resource Systems Group and King Arthur Baking Co. all worked hard filling bags.
A great win for our community
BARBARA BAZARIAN and HARVEY BAZARIAN
Hartford