Don’t Attempt to Silence My Voice, so Let’s Talk

How personal beliefs and political symbols shape conversations in a diverse neighborhood

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Our place of residence expresses many aspects of who we are: our style of architectural and design tastes, our financial level, and even our religious backgrounds and political affiliations.

I live in a financially modest, mostly working-class family neighborhood in a rural area of western Massachusetts. People of all ages from very young to elderly walk on the sidewalks, some using canes, some pushing baby strollers or walking hand-in-hand with young children, many walking dogs of all breeds. A man who rescued a baby squirrel often takes his pet out for a stroll on a leash and allows local children to feed it small nuts.

My neighbor next door placed a reclining garden gnome on a tree stump, while others hang tinkling wind chimes or small windmills that turn gently on breezy days.

Many of my neighbors exhibit statues of various sizes depicting the Virgin Mary on a blue half shell, and residents of one house fly a flag in their front yard of Mary holding the baby Jesus.

“Old Glory” stands proudly on poles or porches on holidays throughout the spring, summer, and fall…