I became concerned that the tone of my previous comment may have been a bit too high-and-mighty. I could certainly spend more of my free time helping the Harborside Haitians or anyone (rather than being on my screens 😬). And I certainly have my own prejudices to battle - I hear cabbage and potatoes and think Irish, even though my own peasant heritage has a cabbage and potatoes dish…does everyone’s? So Christmas peace to Ms. Ball, who did, after all, show up at a town meeting to express what she thought was right while I am just commenting from the shield of my phone. And she expressed concern about the divide among us…. a concern most of us have in common.
Thank you Seth. Your first column was so well said (no surprise), but thank you more for responding to Ms Hall with such eloquence, patience and temperament - and for sharing your parents’ Christmas story. A lovely one.
Thank you for standing strong and steady in the midst of the spewing coming your way. So much courage and love in this motel. May the guests find their ways out into the community awaiting…Much light to you at this darkest time of the year as you remember the last generation💜
Thanks Seth, for providing an example of the productive discourse that needs to happen but is rather rare these days. This is how we win the battle of hearts and minds, and build a stronger, more empathetic community.
I am going to assume Ms. Ball’s use of the word christian (small c) is a general term for love/kindness/treating your neighbor as yourself. So maybe she WILL actually get to know her Haitian neighbors and invite them into her kitchen since she’s so concerned for their safety. OR maybe calling Seth “un-christian” IS a more literal use - and expressing yet another common prejudice.
Being Christmastime, I shall offer that I think being Christian means trying to model Jesus. A poor Jew (most likely “of color”), an outcast, often suffering prejudice from the locals where he traveled and ultimately killed by fear and judgment. Christmas being the story of how He was not even offered a hotel, but only a (kitchenless) stable and gifts from strangers. AND how His life was about SERVING those who his own people were prejudiced against (Samaritans, gentiles, the sick and the poor) to teach us lessons on how to be better as human beings, loving and helping ALL people.
Thank you for standing up for a human decency and for this marginalized community! In my heart of hearts, I hope there are more of us than the NIMBYs out there.
Responding with reason and kindness seems to shut down the noise coming from these crackpots. Sadly, I don’t have that skill. I’m more of a “STFU” kinda gal. Have a happy New Year!
I'm awed by your patience and forbearance -- not only because I often fall short on both but because they make this such an effective column. And thanks for the story about how Dec. 25 became your parents' wedding anniversary!
Wow, I've been to the New York Fringe, the Edinburgh Fringe and now the Yarmouth Fringe. Different fringes, for sure. Maybe it's just the moon affecting folks' thinking. What would we call that? Lunar fringe? Luna... I'm trying to come up with an appropriate adjectival ending, beginning with luna-
Beautiful response, Seth. If we could all listen and respond with such civility and respect.
I became concerned that the tone of my previous comment may have been a bit too high-and-mighty. I could certainly spend more of my free time helping the Harborside Haitians or anyone (rather than being on my screens 😬). And I certainly have my own prejudices to battle - I hear cabbage and potatoes and think Irish, even though my own peasant heritage has a cabbage and potatoes dish…does everyone’s? So Christmas peace to Ms. Ball, who did, after all, show up at a town meeting to express what she thought was right while I am just commenting from the shield of my phone. And she expressed concern about the divide among us…. a concern most of us have in common.
Thank you Seth. Your first column was so well said (no surprise), but thank you more for responding to Ms Hall with such eloquence, patience and temperament - and for sharing your parents’ Christmas story. A lovely one.
EXCELLENT RESPONSE! THANK YOU!
Well done, Seth. Thank you. And I love your parents story ~ heartwarming.
Wishing you Peace.
Thank you for standing strong and steady in the midst of the spewing coming your way. So much courage and love in this motel. May the guests find their ways out into the community awaiting…Much light to you at this darkest time of the year as you remember the last generation💜
Thanks Seth, for providing an example of the productive discourse that needs to happen but is rather rare these days. This is how we win the battle of hearts and minds, and build a stronger, more empathetic community.
I am going to assume Ms. Ball’s use of the word christian (small c) is a general term for love/kindness/treating your neighbor as yourself. So maybe she WILL actually get to know her Haitian neighbors and invite them into her kitchen since she’s so concerned for their safety. OR maybe calling Seth “un-christian” IS a more literal use - and expressing yet another common prejudice.
Being Christmastime, I shall offer that I think being Christian means trying to model Jesus. A poor Jew (most likely “of color”), an outcast, often suffering prejudice from the locals where he traveled and ultimately killed by fear and judgment. Christmas being the story of how He was not even offered a hotel, but only a (kitchenless) stable and gifts from strangers. AND how His life was about SERVING those who his own people were prejudiced against (Samaritans, gentiles, the sick and the poor) to teach us lessons on how to be better as human beings, loving and helping ALL people.
Thank you for standing up for a human decency and for this marginalized community! In my heart of hearts, I hope there are more of us than the NIMBYs out there.
My words and feelings are all exactly like all commenters. Thank you, Seth. A voice of reason - wish I could be more like you but I'm with Carla :)
Responding with reason and kindness seems to shut down the noise coming from these crackpots. Sadly, I don’t have that skill. I’m more of a “STFU” kinda gal. Have a happy New Year!
I'm awed by your patience and forbearance -- not only because I often fall short on both but because they make this such an effective column. And thanks for the story about how Dec. 25 became your parents' wedding anniversary!
Thank you for the reminder, Seth: respond to hate with love. And for your parent’s story. Very poignant.
Seth=Grace. You, my friend handled this with more class and brilliance than most.
Wow, I've been to the New York Fringe, the Edinburgh Fringe and now the Yarmouth Fringe. Different fringes, for sure. Maybe it's just the moon affecting folks' thinking. What would we call that? Lunar fringe? Luna... I'm trying to come up with an appropriate adjectival ending, beginning with luna-