This was originally published on the Manisha for Melrose campaign website, posted during my 2017 Alderman-At-Large (City Councilor-At-Large) campaign on August 13, 2017. I was also the Vice Chair of the Melrose Human Rights Commission at the time.
My thoughts are with the people of Charlottesville and those on the front lines rising up to fight this. We in Melrose, Massachusetts are mourning this violence and loss of life. The forces of hatred are daunting. They have many of us flailing, wanting to fight against this hate and not wanting to let ourselves become divided. What is happening in Charlottesville affects us right here at home. With each act of hatred, members of our community are affected on a deeper and more personal level. We must look out for our friends and neighbors, those who might feel the most affected. Let’s look within, and recognize and extinguish seeds of hate within ourselves. Let’s take care of each other, and let’s fight against hate.