Where to find a silver lining in Lexington controversy

[Ian David]

LETTERS
Where to find a silver lining in Lexington controversy

January 5, 2006

I wish that the article on David Parker (''David Parker, at odds with his community," Globe NorthWest, Dec. 22) had touched on how his actions have changed the lives of other people in Lexington besides just Mr. Parker. Strangely enough, I think you would have found that most of the changes were for the better.

Mr. Parker attracted the attention of Fred Phelps's antigay Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas, and Phelps demonstrated in June at numerous churches in Lexington, the high school graduation in Lowell, and at the Estabrook Elementary School, where this whole thing started. Instead of giving these people the confrontation they were looking for, people from various faiths joined together to take part in ''shields of love and kindness" that were stationed in front of each house of worship, separating those who were entering and exiting services from the protesters. The beautiful image of the white-clad shield members in front of St. Brigid's Catholic church is still burned in my memory.

The evening before the elementary school children began classes in September, over 350 people of all ages participated in a nonconfrontational countervigil across the street from where a rally in support of David Parker was held. We felt the need to show up to defend the right of all children and their families to be represented in our schools. Many of us were concerned that there would be a very tense atmosphere with both groups across from each other, but after it was clear that the countervigil participants vastly outnumbered those at the support rally, it turned into a happy social event. People chatted with friends, with people they had not seen in a while, and with acquaintances they had just met.

Overall, this situation has been a wake-up call for a lot of Lexington residents. They now really appreciate the welcoming and inclusive nature of the town and the schools and realize that we cannot take these things for granted. This has pulled us together like nothing else could.

More:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/01/05/where_to_find_a_silver_lining_in_lexington_controversy/

[Ian David]

1. Self-kicking because nobody else sees to find this interesting. n/t

[TaleWgnDg]

2. Aaaahhhhh, the heart of liberal Massachusetts . . . Lexington.

Indeed. Lexington, Massachusetts, where "the shot heard 'round the world" was sounded upon Lexington Green in April of 1775 thereby beginning the War against King George who wouldn't allow us, colonialists, a representative vote but taxed us anyway!

Indeed.

So there should be no surprise that today in Lexington there remains the same thread of liberty, due process, and equality of all before law! You go, Lexington, you go! And, thanks to IanDB1 for reminding us of true patriotism and of patriots who will stand up and be counted for GLBTs.