One Way to Fight Hate: Not in Our Town

Most people aren't devils or gods, they're just ordinary shmoes trying to get along in the world, not thinking too much, just putting food on the table and themselves in a chair before a TV. They listen to what their leaders say because it's easy, and they don't question because that's hard.

Winning the hearts and minds of the leaders of the opposition may be impossible; but winning the hearts and minds of these people - the ordinary people - is possible. We just have to plant some grass.

I have sometimes played a game with myself:
Suppose you had a fortune. A Gates-like fortune. What would you do?

One thing I'd like to do is start rewarding acts that promote a civil society. What do I mean? What acts would promote such a society? It could be a lot of things. Here's one example: A town in Montana where they put a stop to bigotry.

NOT IN OUR TOWN is the inspiring documentary film about the residents of Billings, Montana who responded to an upsurge in hate violence by standing together for a hate-free community. In 1993, hate activities in Billings reached a crescendo. KKK fliers were distributed, the Jewish cemetery was desecrated, the home of a Native American family was painted with swastikas, and a brick was thrown through the window of a six-year-old boy who displayed a Menorah for Hanukkah.

Rather than resigning itself to the growing climate of hate, the community took a stand. The police chief urged citizens to respond before the violence escalated any further. Religious groups from every denomination sponsored marches and candlelight vigils. The local labor council passed a resolution against racism, anti-Semitism and homophobia. Members of the local Painters Union pitched in to paint over racist graffiti. The local newspaper printed full-page Menorahs that were subsequently displayed in nearly 10,000 homes and businesses. The community made an unmistakable declaration: "Not in Our Town." Since then, no serious acts of hate violence have been reported in Billings.

You can buy the film here

There are other people like that police chief. People we don't hear about. Let's find them. Let's reward them. Let's give them publicity.