In the wee hours of Sunday morning, our flag was stolen. Most months of the year, we fly the American flag in front of our house, but in June, we choose to fly the Pride flag. We were not the only victims of flag theft on the other night. Several other homes and businesses in town who happen to believe that love is love also had flags or signs stolen. We all felt violated and we all were disappointed, even outraged. Why, after all this time, does hate still happen?
June is Pride month. Pride is self-affirmation. Pride is dignity. Pride is equality. There is nothing threatening or hateful in Pride. Nevertheless, some people still choose to hate or to shame or to marginalize gay people. That is wrong. That elevates brazen trespassing and petty theft to the level of a hate crime, and hate is always intolerable. Period.
We live in polarized times. Sadly, for some people, hate is still handed down from one generation to the next. If decency and democracy are to survive, then we need to do a better job of educating our children and eradicating the worn out stereotypes and stigmas associated with bias and hatred. As long as even a few people choose hatred and violence over love and empathy, none of us will be free to love whom we choose to love, or to live our lives free from fear.
I did not expect to be writing about this today. I wish I didn’t have to. A stolen flag is one thing, but because the theft and destruction of that particular flag—and many other similar flags in town, too—revealed something deeper and more toxic, I felt I had no choice. We’ll all get through this, but we’ll never be quite the same. That’s sad.I have always found Chestertown to be a welcoming and safe place. I believe it still is, but this early Sunday morning hate spree reveals a darker side. Fortunately, the Chestertown Police Department took these incidents seriously and acted swiftly: suspects have been identified, and arrest warrants have been issued. The perpetrators will be charged with multiple counts of trespassing, theft, destruction of property, and felony hate crimes. They will be tried, but whatever verdict is rendered, the story can’t end there. There is still a lot of work to be done.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. knew all there is to know about hatred in this world. This is what he said: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Isn’t it time to embrace the light and to love one another? For that matter, is there really an alternative?
I’ll be right back.
Jamie Kirkpatrick is a writer and photographer who lives in Chestertown. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, the Baltimore Sun, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Washington College Alumni Magazine, and American Cowboy Magazine.
His new novel, “The Tales of Bismuth; Dispatches from Palestine, 1945-1948” explores the origins of the Arab-Israeli conflict. It is available on Amazon.
Carla Massoni says
Thank you Jamie. Breaks my heart…and boils my blood.
Evan Thalenberg says
Great job Jamie- as usual. This is such a sad and disturbing violation on so many levels.
Rick Balaban says
Perfectly said Jamie. I note that there are jurists and politicians in this country who side with the rainbow flag felons. Let’s vote them off their benches and out of their seats.
Bob Moores says
Jamie, in every large barrel of apples we can expect to find a few rotten ones at the bottom. Don’t let this incident unduly affect your love of this town. I would be happy to buy you a new pride flag if it would not be an imposition.
Jamie Kirkpatrick says
Thanks, Bob. We’ve ordered another flag to fly in June.
Christine Conley Evans says
Thank you Jamie. This makes me sick. There is no room in the world for hate and personal attacks such as these. Living a life full of love and not hate is simply better for everyone.
Gren Whitman says
Sad to say, but the American — Old Glory — flag has been desecrated by its association with Trump’s vandals as they assaulted our national Capitol and by its display along with the traitorous Confederate flag and the infamous Nazi swastika.
The Pride banner has become the new symbol of our national aspirations — equality, inclusion, and respect for every citizen.
Jane E. Hukill says
Thank you Jamie;keep writing about the good and the sad in our precious home area. Because of your words maybe this too will pass but we all need to help with your efforts.
Paula Reeder says
Thank you for speaking out against hate and reminding us of the antidote.
Tom Martin says
Well said Jamie!
AMY WARNER says
Thanks for writing this thoughtful piece, Jamie. We live on Philosopher’s Terrace, and our Pride flag was stolen too. We were shocked that it had happened, but it’s a reminder that narrow-mindedness and prejudice are still present in our community, however beloved it is. We reported it to the police and are pleased that they acted so quickly, identified the suspects, and have issued warrants. We’ll buy another Pride flag and put it up.
Kat Conley says
Hi Amy,
Kat here (Jamie’s wife) I am so sorry you were violated as well. It is a sad tale of our town and our country. Prejudice and hate have no place in our town or anywhere. We have purchased a new flag and will fly it proudly fly it when it arrives. Stop by to see us if you are ever on Cannon Street.
Justin white says
Sorry it happened. Thanks so much for editorializing about it. It makes a difference, with love.