I feel Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent emphatic suggestion that “the next time you see a woman in a hijab or a family out for a stroll, give them a smile” is actually a very healthy and powerful, yet relatively effortless, response by caring individuals toward all acts of targeted hate. One might also wear anti-hate symbolism, e.g. a colored ribbon or shirt.
I decided to do just that as my own rebellious response to the (as anticipated) acts of racial/religious intolerance that soon followed Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential election victory. Anti-Trump demonstrators’ catchy slogan was “Love Trumps Hate”; not much for the ‘love’ part, I would do the next best thing by offering a smile.
In today’s climate of bigotry, I feel it’s not enough to just not think/act hateful; we all also need to display kindness, perhaps through a sincere smile.
Frank Sterle Jr.
White Rock
