Our church prides itself on its rich heritage of progressivism.  It is something that we celebrate during this 175^th anniversary year and it mirrors the progressivism of our wider United Church of Christ.

Moving in the circles that we do, however, it is easy to assume that everyone is like-minded in recognizing the value of diversity. When we see manifestations of racism and hatred, we can too easily pat ourselves on the back and thank our lucky stars that we live in Massachusetts; one of the most educated and progressive states in our country.

That’s why it is important to remember, from time to time, that we don’t live in a progressive cocoon. Even in a “blue state” like ours, we are not immune to acts of bigotry and hate.

For example, just last week a Melrose woman was sentenced to six months’ probation after verbally assaulting City Councilor Maya Jamaleddine at the Shell gas station on Main Street; calling her a “terrorist Arab” and telling her to “go back to her country.”

In Cambridge, City Council candidate Ayah Al-Zubi woke up two weeks ago to find that her bike had been stolen and that some of her campaign flyers had been shredded to pieces. “F*** you” was written across the destroyed material left outside her apartment.

A few days later, in Worcester, City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj said in a social media post that her home had been hit with a baseball and that the campaign signs outside her house had been knocked down.

These are just a few examples and I raise them because Muslim women who are in (or who running for) elected office seem to be at the forefront of repeated acts of hate. Thankfully, no one was physically hurt in these incidents, and law enforcement took things seriously. The psychological hurt that this causes and the fear it injects into our communities, however, is very real.

We all took heart when, in response to Mr. Trump’s infamous “Muslim travel ban,” Muslim Americans began running for public office in larger numbers; from the national to the local level. It is crucial that we continue to support their right to do this and applaud their courage. How do you run for office when you can’t be sure if the next person you talk to might be violent just because of how you are dressed or the color of your skin?

A mobilization of hatred began in 2016 and was on full display at the January 6^th insurrection. We may feel that it fades away from time to time but it always seems to simmer; waiting to reach another boiling point. And it can be made manifest very close to home. 

As people of faith who believe in the beauty of God’s diverse people, a multiplicity of peaceful religious expression, and the dignity of every child of God, we need to constantly stand with those who are the objects of hatred and irrationality.

See you in church,

–Rev. Dominic