To the Editor:

I am glad to hear that Richard Blanco felt well-received when he landed in Bethel, which is a long way from Miami and Cuban culture. I wish I could indulge the idea that Bethel–rural, quaint, and somewhat worldly with international students at Gould Academy and tourists from near and far–is always so accepting. I haven’t been able to forget the disturbing experience of Ryan White, who, with his crew, did the magnificent mural on the Gem Theater. He often feared for his life, feeling especially vulnerable because he had to work with his back to the public while painting. Townspeople volunteered to stand as sentries to protect the painters.

We often think it’s the southern states that are racist. Here in New England? We’re not like that! No, our racism here is covert, mostly out of sight because everyone we meet on the street has the same skin color.

We can change. It starts with curiosity, a question–Why?–and the courage to speak up. It starts in schools with teachers who do not fear public persecution because they are exposing students to the full complexity of American history. It begins with the ability to disagree with others without hysteria. It begins with common courtesy and empathy.
Ellen Gibson
West Paris