Let’s reclaim civic engagement based on respect
It is deeply troubling that, for several months now, some individual(s) has chosen cowardly intimidation over open discussion.
In recent months, our town has seen a disturbing trend: scarecrow effigies and anonymous messages left around Acton targeting Superintendent Laurie Hunter. Whatever frustrations some may have, this is not how a community rooted in education and democracy should behave.
It is deeply troubling that, for several months now, some individual(s) has chosen cowardly intimidation over open discussion. Criticism of public officials is part of a healthy democracy. But what we are seeing here is not debate; it is fear-mongering, anonymous attacks, and symbolism of menace masquerading as protest. Real courage is not hiding behind scarecrows. Real courage is showing up, speaking up, listening, asking questions, engaging in our forums — town meetings, letters to the School Committee, public comment periods — even if the topic is uncomfortable. To the individual(s) behind these tactics: Be brave and use the voice you were given to air your dissatisfactions.
If we accept that intimidation is the new mode of civic engagement, we lose more than civility. We lose our sense of self-respect, our tradition of brave, face-to-face community dialogue, and our status as a place where disagreement doesn’t devolve into harassment. Is this the kind of town we are? Are we willing to have the first confrontation be a scarecrow, rather than a reasoned conversation?
We are better than this. We can disagree and still embody the ideals our town was founded on: courage, community, respect. Let’s reclaim that.
Tiffany Apczynski
Garfield Road
