Hello 16

8/31/2020

Dear Readers,

I wrote this letter because we can’t allow these acts of indecency and vulgarity go without speaking up!

“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth on them.”
Ida B. Wells, Suffragist

Who decides the rights and wrongs? Me? You? The Bible? The laws? Common sense?

It feels like people are having trouble making that decision. At least three incidents rocked my world in Newburyport last week.

A Salisbury business owner displayed a sign in front of his business suggesting the Vice Presidential nominee was a prostitute. He used the word hoe instead of ho but made his point. Thanks to the Salisbury Town Manager for publicly saying the sign was “offensive and insulting, particularly to women.” The sign is on private property, so there is nothing the town can legally do. The sign was taken down by the owner.

On Saturday, a mother and her daughter were walking on the Clipper City Rail Trail and a white man verbally accosted them because he didn’t like the color of their skin. He called them “vulgar and disparaging words.” The mom took his photo and gave it to the police. They quickly identified Daniel P. Cain, 61, of Methuen and charges were filed against him.

Also on Saturday, I was holding signs on High Street in front of the Senior Center for Amber Hewett (candidate for State Representative). A white male in an SUV drove by, gave me the middle finger and yelled, “F*** You!” I wish I’d had the foresight to memorize his license plate so he could have been interviewed by police and at the very least understood that that behavior was disturbing. I’ve been holding campaign signs for decades and this was a first for me.

Is this enough light, Ida?

This Letter to the Editor appeared in the Newburyport Daily News August 27th.

Thanks for reading. Leave me message by clicking on Comments below, Elizabeth

10 Comments

Denis

8/31/2020 06:35:20 pm

Elizabeth
This is great! It takes courage to speak out against these vulgar acts when many feel they are "normal".

Elizabeth Kilcoyne link

9/1/2020 05:19:29 pm

Yes. We must call out these disrespectful actions. Hopefully, we can bring back decency in the White House soon!

R.David Drucker

8/31/2020 07:14:35 pm

Keep on keeping on, Elizabeth! Silence is not golden. If we don't call out these still all too common behaviors, they will still be a part of who we are as a nation

Elizabeth Kilcoyne link

9/1/2020 05:24:37 pm

Good to hear from you David. The Rye Writing Group is going strong. If everyone VOTES, we will have a decent leader in the White House and this behavior will HOPEFULLY go back underground.

Allison Gustavson link

9/1/2020 04:01:11 pm

You did Ida proud. The light that you shine is always clear, grounded, straightforward, uncluttered, and therefore of the highest possible power. These three profound examples of terrible behavior reveal their own shamefulness under your gaze.

Elizabeth Kilcoyne link

9/1/2020 05:15:54 pm

Thanks Allison. When the lack of decency in this country makes its way to Newburyport, MA you know we're in trouble! May the November miracle bring us relief and a future we can be proud of!

Evan Kettenring

9/1/2020 10:23:18 pm

Professor Kilcoyne, still shining light and speaking truth. <3

Elizabeth Kilcoyne link

9/3/2020 02:00:50 pm

Great to hear from you Evan.
It's the only way to live. My very best to you!

Richard Howard

2/16/2021 11:38:08 am

So glad to see your greeting and to find your blog.
It is such a great express of your personality

Elizabeth Kilcoyne link

2/25/2021 12:02:22 pm

Hi Richard,

So great to hear from you! I have been writing this blog and writing essays for a couple of years. I finally retired last June and closed my consulting business.

I write mostly about travel by walking, family legacy and women's/human/equal rights.

Onward, Elizabeth

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