This is in response to the letter writer from Sunderland who thinks that Northampton is shallow and superficial for being concerned about justice issues. He would like people to be “judged by the content of one’s character.”
Character is defined as one’s spirit and ethical compass. Humans are at our best when we feel and think beyond our own needs and we engage in altruism with no expectation of personal gain. It is normative in the Northampton area to care about everyone in our communities and to address issues of disparity as a high order principle. Far from superficial, this reflects humility, grace and a refusal of complacency. Every day I wake up grateful to live here. Too many other areas of our country are rife with homophobia, sexism and racist beliefs as norms.
I have lived in places where bigotry is a large part of the “content of character.” The letter writer could live in many parts of this country and be assured of bumper stickers and flags that would suit his world view.
He could also find “multiple meetings” about ensuring the status quo, where uppity people of color, women and LGBT people remain in their places, rather than suffering here to demean acts of kindness and empathy — the best barometers of character.
J.M. Sorrell
Haydenville