Jan. 11 presents a unique opportunity to our community. Two concurrent rallies will take place that day, a white power rally, attended by only a handful, and the Many and One rally.

The white power rally will be one of their typical events, hate speech and angry words, a sad effort to whip up a storm of fear, hate and division. Fear and hate are their specialties, but even they will admit that it’s hard to get excited about fear and hate if nobody is listening. Not to say that they will stop fearing and hating if no one listens, but they do get tired of seeing the same old fearing and hating faces.

The Many and One rally is a multicultural, cross-denominational and “spontaneous” event. This spontaneous reaction is, in fact, evidence of the strong base of pre-existing morals and values cherished and practiced daily in these communities by people, businesses and religious organizations, etc.

Mayor Raymond acted recklessly when he published his opinions about the complex problems associated with the current migration of humans on a politically and environmentally unstable planet. Sometimes words are like dropped bombs, they can miss the target and it is impossible to control the collateral damage.

Mayor Raymond’s views were alarming but, nevertheless, they set in motion an accelerated period of growth for the communities of Lewiston and Auburn. Communities, like other organisms, sometimes need a little challenge, some small problem to help inspire growth and even achieve greatness.

Being “proactive” means seeing and understanding the opportunity, then acting appropriately. Growth happens. Being “reactive” means getting caught in a cycle of blame. Growth does not happen.

Never stop believing in the power and strength of your community through the good and the “bad.”

According to N. Sri Ram, “The reality that is sought by us must be an unknown; whereas all concepts based on experience are memories of the known. They belong to a past which overshadows the present.”

Jeff C. Jacques, Lewiston

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