A homeowner was confronted by an angry neighbor after putting up a lights display outside her home ahead of Christmas.
As Kim Hunt from St. Anthony, Minnesota, insisted, she received an anonymous letter in which another local challenged her to get rid of her Christmas lights because the display could be offensive to those who can’t afford decorations or those that don’t celebrate Christmas.
“I couldn’t help but notice your Christmas light display. During these unprecedented times, we have all experienced challenges which casual words just don’t describe what we’re feeling,” the letter, which was reportedly submitted to Hunt by a neighbor who chose to remain anonymous, read.
“The idea of twinkling, colorful lights are a reminder of divisions that continue to run through our society, a reminder of systemic biases against our neighbors who don’t celebrate Christmas or who can’t afford to put up lights of their own.”
The letter went on to tell the homeowner to educate herself “about the harmful impact an outward facing display like yours can have” on other people in the area.
“I challenge you to respect the dignity of all people, while striving to learn from differences, ideas, and opinions of our neighbors,” the message dictated.
“We must come together collectively and challenge these institutional inequities; St. Anthony is a community welcoming of all people and we must demand better for ourselves.”
After the letter was shared by Crime Watch Minneapolis on Twitter, people were quick to voice their support for Hunt, who works as a nurse, and her husband.
“Ironic that the letter writer is doing exactly what they accuse the homeowner of doing – not being accepting of others. I would redouble my lights,” one person suggested.
“Love the lights and the holiday spirit whatever you celebrate. It is about the good in all of us and celebrating that,” another one added.
In an update, Crime Watch Minneapolis suggested that another local also shared a photo of the same letter and said that several homeowners got the same letter.
Replaced!