Ann Arbor has a much-deserved reputation as a mecca for progressive ideas. We pride ourselves in our dedication to equity. It’s summed up by the saying that Ann Arbor is "24.6 square miles surrounded by reality.” Its inclusive pedigree is regularly on public display everywhere, as shown by the many progressive yard signs welcoming immigrants, Jews, Muslims, people of color, and LGBTQ community members. Our reputation is also demonstrated in election results. While Trump ultimately won Michigan, 83% of voters in Ann Arbor cast their votes for Clinton and, perhaps more telling, Bernie Sanders had tremendous support here in the primaries.
To be sure no place, not even Ann Arbor is immune to unstable political and social climates--including a surge of homophobia, racism, and anti-Semitism. It was still shocking to go out for my morning walk and see that while we were relishing our last moments of the weekend and hopefully deep sleeping, the racists had come to town. The Patriot Front - BLOODANDSOIL.org - , a known Nazi (nothing neo about these guys) group, left Ziploc baggies full of anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant, and anti-black propaganda on our sidewalks. “Blood and Soil” was the cry that thundered through German streets in the 30’s. The deliberate use of Nazi slogans and symbols found on these cards show the seriousness of the threat.
As frightening as this group is, I found the reaction of our community to their provocation heartening. I was especially moved by the speed with which several neighbors responded. The police were called immediately, and without coordination, several of us walked the neighborhoods, collected the bags, and removed them from the sightlines of our community members and children. Removing the offensive literature represents an important first step in responding to this kind of hate speech. The question now is: what other steps should we take? This hateful behavior is not new in this country and given recent national and international events, we should not be surprised that this kind of bold racist action has once again literally landed on our front steps.
While our community beautifully united in their opposition to the racist propaganda, we experience and are motivated to respond to these events in different ways. As a social justice activist and educator who has been working in the Deep South and across the country for many years, I have worked with many communities who have implemented successful and sustainable ways to stem this kind of hate.
While some believe that the best practice is to ignore these folks and their hatred, silence has not worked out historically. For groups like Blood and Soil, silence can be interpreted as tacit acceptance. It can also be interpreted as weakness and an invitation to ramp up both rhetoric and action. We must respond, and we must respond in reflective and compassionate ways. Positive and encouraging measures work better than negative ones.
Post messages of inclusivity and equity on your social media pages, on your cars, office doors and windows, and in your yards. The impact of these acts provides a firm and compassionate barrier fostering an inclusive community. It also allows everyone to feel welcome. We all benefit when we leave space for folks who haven’t wanted to be part of this community or who haven’t been interested in issues of social equity before.
This effort also needs to span generations. The Crescents and Haisley neighborhoods, both anchored by elementary schools, were targeted. This suggests that the Nazis intended their message to be seen by children on their way to school. If your children inquire, be sure to avoid frightening language. Instead, emphasize the importance of creating and sustaining a welcoming community. Discuss why having different people in our communities makes us happier, makes us less nervous, makes us smarter, and makes us stronger.
Check on your neighbors. While we are all collectively and individually injured by messages of hate, we must understand that people targeted--including immigrants, Muslims, Jews, African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, LGBTQIA community members may feel especially frightened—and with good reason. Validate their feelings and experiences and ask how they are feeling; don’t debate or assume you know. Practice empathy and listen meaningfully. Ask them what you can do to support and help them feel safe. Volunteer to walk your neighborhoods and be aware of possible further efforts by hate groups to spread their propaganda. Interrupt unproductive action and unkind language. Volunteer to support our school and community efforts which focus on inclusivity and equity. If you possess special expertise, work with these groups to develop interesting programs and sustainable action.
Recognize your own power. There is no social justice action that is too small or inconsequential. There is also no single right way to do it. Let people practice inclusivity and equity in the ways they feel most comfortable. It is not practical nor compassionate to demand that individuals respond to these events in exactly the same ways. We know that successfully fighting hate groups and preventing them from infiltrating our communities demands multiple responses—the crucial thing is that people respond. Let people explore and become comfortable with their own methods.
All signs suggest that we may experience repeated attempts by hate groups to push their agendas. We thus want to encourage all community members to become and stay involved. Sowing divisiveness and creating fractures within our community is exactly what fascist groups want. Finally, let’s remember that inclusion and equity work should not only be approached as a counter response brought on by hate. Rather, we should view it as a privilege; a moment to put our values into practice; a moment where we remind ourselves of the richness of our community.
Jennifer A. Stollman, Ph.D. lives on Ann Arbor’s West Side and is a justice and equity consultant (jastollmanconsulting.com).