Most everyone the world over subscribes to some version of the Golden Rule — do unto others as you would have them unto you.
My dear midwife sold me on her one step further version — the Platinum Rule: do unto others as you would have them do to your children.
That is the world I want to live in.
For a town which bills itself as a Christian place, indeed going so far as to rather frequently and unapologetically muddy the waters between church and state, it has been eye opening to see what my neighbors are like. Not merely my next door neighbors, but my fellow townspeople.
For a town who proudly labels itself the world headquarters of nice people, some of you go well above and beyond, while others … are not pulling in the same direction.
We have stories already, after less than a year living here, of some of the most eye-watering kindness, and some of the most stark, gut-twisting unkindness.
It is worth noting that when Jesus commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves he didn’t put an asterisk and a footnote with situations where that isn’t important. He didn’t say “oh unless they vote differently from you, then it’s okay to treat them with rudeness, contempt, disregard, disdain. Hate.” He didn’t add “-unless they’re queer. It isn’t important to be kind to queer folks. It isn’t important to treat them with respect; to acknowledge their humanity.”
In the short time we’ve lived here we have heard accounts from fairly everyone we’ve met who is part of a marginalized community, sharing how they have been made to KNOW they are unsafe here.
Ashland, that’s your legacy.
The loudest folks here are dangerous hate mongers.
The genuinely kind folks who undoubtedly make up a vast majority of this town are not doing enough.
We are not doing enough to make our neighbors safe.
We are not LOUDLY kind enough. Gentle enough. Welcoming enough. Respectful enough. Loving enough.
I see it lamented often that my generation has lost its civility. I would challenge you to be the role model you think we need. Be the neighbor Mr. Rogers, Jesus, and I believe you can be. And that we all need.
Sylviane Miller
Ashland, Ohio