We are all united in standing against hate.

By Suman Ganapathy

Suman Ganapathy

Recently, I asked my friend “Millie” to participate in the first Morgan Hill United Against Hate Week held Nov. 13-19. The Library, Culture and Arts Commission is leading the city’s efforts in partnership with many community organizations including Congregation Emeth members who brought this important idea to the city.

I am passionate about our city demonstrating that we stand united against all types of hatred, bias, and prejudice. I thought it would be an easy “yes” with Millie, since we are usually in agreement about everything. However, she hesitated, proceeded to quiz me in detail, and then finally found the courage to pronounce she was against hate, too, after learning the Morgan Hill Police Department, library, and school district were all supporting this venture.

Clearly, the support of our city’s major institutions was a compelling and empowering affirmation of her own beliefs. The webpage and downloadable poster created by the city provide a powerful message, too.

Her response got me thinking: why does calling out hate make us so uncomfortable — even as it dangles before us, damaging and emboldened by our silence and evasion? It is especially difficult to accept that our beautiful city where we live with our family, friends, and loved ones can house intolerance. However, it is imperative we take a stand towards what we value in our community.

It started when over the summer  Congregation Emeth member Susan Meyers saw storefronts in the city of San Raphael peppered with UAH posters.

The feeling of comfort and acceptance it elicited within made her contact Jill Irwin, Congregation Emeth’s Social Action Committee chair, who along with Stewart Gill contacted the city and then the Library Culture & Arts Commission. Recently, Congregation Emeth’s property was targeted twice with anti-Semitic graffiti.

Bringing the United Against Hate poster campaign to Morgan Hill seemed in harmony with the several proclamations condemning all forms of hate over the years by the City Council (2016, 2017 and 2021). It would reinforce and serve as a reminder of our values as a community given the current climate, they said.

The Interfaith CommUNITY of South County was also supportive and willing to help out with the printing and distribution of the posters.

Both LCAC and the city council readily approved the idea. Despite the time crunch, it felt logical to join the existing UAH Week being observed nationally in more than 200 cities and communities.

According to the United Against Hate website, the event was created by civic leaders “in response to the sharp rise in expressions of hate, to empower local residents to take action in their local communities and stop this growing intolerance. When cities and their residents work together against hate, we can restore respect and civil discourse, embrace the strength of diversity, and build inclusive and equitable communities for all.”

The free UAH Week kickoff event will be held Nov. 13 at the Morgan Hill Library. It will feature themed songs, poetry, and short speeches, including local author Jordan Rosenfeld, poet Marcia Fishman, musician, artist and LCAC commissioner Amanda Santiago, and more. There is also arts activity with coloring pages and crayons for kids and grownups.

Also during UAH week, AAUW Morgan Hill hosted a Diversity-Equity-Inclusion discussion of privilege, elitism, and allyship at the library Nov. 15. These difficult conversations in a safe space helped us understand, accept, and create a caring community.

We are proud to have many organizations partner with us. Congregation Emeth, the Interfaith CommUNITY of South County, city of Morgan Hill, Library Culture and Arts Commission, Morgan Hill Library, Morgan Hill Unified School District, Morgan Hill Police Department, AAUW Morgan Hill, Morgan Hill Historical Society, and many community members have joined hands. BookSmart bookstore generously printed free posters for the community. The Chamber of Commerce and MH Downtown Association are encouraging businesses to participate.

Our hope is that the week will be the start of a lovely conversation and soul searching that will become the identity of our town. We are all united in standing against hate.

Suman Ganapathy is a Morgan Hill Library, Culture & Arts commissioner and president of the AAUW Morgan Hill branch.