LETTER | Rage, grief, confusion and one question. Why?

This didn’t have to happen, none of it. No one should be targeted or killed for just being a person, a human — existing.

NOTE | The Biddeford Gazette verified the identity and residency of this writer. We agreed – considering current circumstances – to publish the words of this young, Biddeford woman anonymously.

By Anonymous

Words are hard to come by these days. With all the heartbreak and heaviness I am feeling and carrying with the tragedy that has occurred in my community. But I will do my best.

The feelings — anguish, sadness, fear, anger, anxiety, compassion, empathy, confusion, disgust and embarrassment — but most of all heartbreak.

How easily folks of a community — where I grew up, walked the streets, went to school, went to church — can turn on each other with such intolerance. Shameful.

The laundromat featured in that horrible footage was a flower shop where my friends and I would get our corsages for homecoming and prom.

The sandwich shop just up the street, or Louis Pizza where we would get our pizzas for $2 Tuesdays, just minutes away from that intersection, walking.

The parades for Christmas, the block party for La Kermesse, where we celebrate our French-Canadian heritage, brought down by previous relatives — immigrants.

How easily history is cast aside or forgotten to rationalize or make sense or defend such heinous acts. This country was built on the backs of thousands – millions — of people coming to this country as immigrants, both voluntarily and not voluntarily; before and after we became established as a country, including our founding fathers.

Why is it so hard to remember?

Why?

A nation built by immigrants

We literally just celebrated the birthday of this country.

The surnames that can be found all throughout the city of Biddeford, points to a forgotten heritage of immigrants.

May I remind everyone; not all immigrants have dark skin tones; not all immigrants are criminals; not all immigrants are illegal.

How easily folks of a community
— where I grew up, walked the streets,
went to school, went to church —
can turn on each other with
such intolerance. Shameful.

If someone becomes naturalized, it does not erase the fact that the person is an immigrant.

Just because someone has a darker skin tone, or comes from a different country, speaks a different language, has a beat-up car, or has a different history does not make them any less or you any better.

We all have value and we all deserve to be able to live the life we want to lead. That is what I was taught growing up. I know it is easier to hate something you don’t know or understand, but just try. Try to be open to others and open to understanding that being different is not a bad thing.

The grief is real

I am so sorry this happened. I grieve for the family of that poor young man. I grieve for him — 26 years old — so much life yet to live and what he will miss out on.

I grieve for my community — for anyone who has gone through this, nationally and all around the world.

I grieve for the gentleman and his family in Texas, as well. I grieve for the others who had their lives taken unnecessarily during such campaigns.

All things aside — no matter where you stand — the facts are these:

Parents lost their child.

Potentially, siblings lost their brother.

A wife lost her husband.

A child lost their father.

All because of some bullshit, hateful, bigoted rhetoric.

This didn’t have to happen, none of it. No one should be targeted or killed for just being a person, a human — existing.

…

The writer is a Biddeford woman who grew up in the city and graduated from Biddeford High School.

NOTE | The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Biddeford Gazette, its staff, affiliates or sponsors. We encourage robust and diverse community conversations on topics related to the city of Biddeford. For information about how to submit your own letter or column, please CONTACT US

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