‘Unity, we must have unity’

I admit it. I love disco. A lyric from a song by the O’Jays describes how I feel about what is happening in our country and in Easthampton: “Unity, we must have unity cause united we stand. Divided we fall.” When I heard about the proposal to combine much needed affordable housing with conservation land that was being planned for 385 Main St. in Easthampton, I was absolutely thrilled. What a wonderful combination to provide housing and to protect land. I wanted to show my complete support of this project, so I went to the city meetings. My excitement was met with shock when I heard the words of judgment, prejudice, and assumptions people voiced. To me, it felt like some people were saying NIMBY — Not in my back yard. My heart ached when I heard people say the crime rate will go up; our taxes will go up; people who live there will trash the place; the wildlife will be in danger; the schools will be overcrowded. I shed tears when I heard someone caution us that “non-white” people would move in. My heart hurts just typing these ugly and judgmental words. My heart ached every time I heard words of wrongful condemnation.

Our country is already so divided, must residents of Easthampton be divided as well? We are better than that. My wish is that we could celebrate that our city will be offering much needed housing and that this housing is totally green, including solar panels. My wish is also that we celebrate that 43 acres of land that will be deemed conservation land. Kestrel Land Trust will build trails and will maintain this property. To me, this is a win-win project and I am a proud supporter of it. So come on residents of Easthampton, let’s dance and have unity!

Rev. Ellen Petersen

Easthampton