ROAD CLOSED? CAN’t complain
Dear Editor:
I am a little apprehensive to send this letter and go against the popular vote. However, I think a good opposing view is needed every once in a while. I read the Transcript often and visit the center daily. I think some change is great for this drab place.
I’ve lived in beautiful Winthrop for 10 years but grew up over the bridge in East Boston. I’m a 36 year old, mother of two. I’ve always felt bad for Winthrop, because I never thought it utilized its potential enough. I’ve been happy to see recent changes. I went into one of the center businesses and they were complaining to me about losing customers and spots. I just don’t see that being possible. As a consumer, if I want a product, I will go to the location and get the product. A spot, 25 extra feet away, will not deter me from my shopping habits. In fact, I went to La Siesta last night and had to park in the lot by Citizens Bank, and didn’t mind walking at all, nor did I turn around and go home because of it.
To the people with limited mobility, I hope they decide to increase the amount of handicapped spots, because I would never want someone to experience pain to get to an appointment or do some banking.
I guess I don’t see what all the fuss is about. I think it’s good that they are making changes. Especially in the Center, where it is plagued with cars. I think it’s so ugly to walk or drive down there and see so many cars. The picnic tables will give people more options, be visually appealing and be a great place for our youth to enjoy a cup of coffee or an ice cream. Maybe they should even add a few of those giant games, that have become so popular. giant jenga, checkers, chess, connect 4, corn hole, etc. We need more public spaces for our youth to do things other than get into trouble and chose negative things.
One of the biggest problems I see down the Center is empty, commercial real estate. The town should be on the owners to do something about that!
This is just one opinion and I’m sorry if it opposes yours, but people should think about all the beauty and good it will bring.
Sincerely,
Christina Marenghi
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One Winthrop commits to social issues
Dear Editor:
Tuesday, Sept. 12 marked an historic day in Winthrop with the establishment of the One Winthrop Initiative. The One Winthrop Initiative developed shortly after the November 2016 election when a group of concerned local residents held a Peace Vigil at Ingleside Park. This formed the basis of One Winthrop; a community driven initiative to confirm and showcase our commitment to social values of inclusion, acceptance, compassion, unity and peace. The goal of One Winthrop is to act as an umbrella under which local groups, businesses, schools, the faith community and citizens can organize events celebrating and promoting key principles (inclusion, acceptance, compassion, unity, peace) and serve as a platform for the community to come together in recognition of these shared values.
The rhetoric, incidents and actions of hate crimes, discrimination and violence based on race, ethnicity, gender, nationality, sexual orientation and religion have become commonplace in our environment; locally, regionally and nationally. As recently as this week three swastikas were carved into the paint of the gym equipment at the Cummings School. Actions at the top level of government have sparked this increase including the immigration ban, DACA repeal, Charlottesville and local incidences of hate, violence and displays of racism; actions now empowered by the national dialogue and support.
According to research by the Southern Poverty Law Center there are currently over 900 hate groups active in the U.S. with a significant rise in 2016 including Klan, neo-nazi, and other white supremacist organizations. Anti-Muslim groups in particular have expanded since the election of 2016. It is reported that 53 such groups operate in Massachusetts. Over 1,000 hate incidents were reported in the weeks after the November election.
The One Winthrop Initiative seeks to counteract these incidents and set the stage for a culture in Winthrop that is welcoming to all and proud of our diversity. We advocate for racial justice, women’s rights, civil liberties and civil rights for immigrants, minorities, LGBTQ communities, religious freedom, refugee support, economic equality and voting rights.
All are welcome to join One Winthrop and show your support for our community. Anyone interested in supporting this initiative, becoming more involved or for additional information please contact us at OneWinthrop@gmail.com or on Facebook at OneWinthrop.
Julia Wallerce , Sylvia Whiting, Linda C. Calla, Brigitte Corangelo, Hanna Gerhard, Stephanie Recchia, Deborah Scearbo, Cathy Stacy
One Winthrop Initiative, Winthrop, MA
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"According to research by the Southern Poverty Law Center there are currently over 900 hate groups active in the U.S. with a significant rise in 2016 including Klan, neo-nazi, and other white supremacist organizations."
Actually, according to the SPLC's data, the five largest categories of white "hate groups" have steadily declined by an average of 44% from 2011 to 2016. That includes the KKK and neo-Nazi wannabees.
Conversely, according to those same SPLC numbers, Black and Black Muslim "hate groups" actually INCREASED by 44%, making their 201 alleged Black "hate groups" the largest category on the list, outnumbering their 130 alleged KKK groups outright, and every other category by at least 2-to-1, respectively.
http://wp.me/pCLYZ-Xz
"Anti-Muslim groups in particular have expanded since the election of 2016."
The SPLC's "anti-Muslim hate group" numbers increased largely because the company counted exactly one chapter of ACT for America in 2015, but counted the same organization 45 times for 2016. ACT has been around since 2007 and did not experience 4400% explosive growth overnight.
The SPLC also added 11 chapters of something called "Sons of Odin" to the anti-Muslim list this year, but cannot provide a known city or town location for 9 of them. We know these groups are really, really out there because the SPLC tells us so. That's not good enough and it's not good journalism. Big claims deserve big proof and the SPLC provides none at all.
Incidentally, if the SPLC's 101 "anti-Muslim hate groups" pose an existential threat, wouldn't the company's 89 "Muslim hate groups" do the same? It's nearly a one-to-one ratio.
"It is reported that 53 such groups operate in Massachusetts."
The SPLC claims 12 "hate groups" for Mass for 2016, one of which is a newly discovered chapter of ACT and four of which are Black "hate groups," or one-third of the total. They provide no city or town location for two others.
If the SPLC are going to be your go-to experts on "hate groups" then you're going to have to accept ALL of their claims, no matter how patently ridiculous.