Currently, in Chicopee, Massachusetts, there is a controversy over what one person regards as a Halloween decoration and another as a religious hate crime.
The object in question is a life-sized witch hanging from the gallows. It is the only holiday decoration in the said yard. A neighbor, Ms. Lynch, who is a witch, finds it to be a religious hate crime. She went to the neighbor to talk to them about taking it down and he refuses. If he doesn't take the decoration down by Halloween Ms Lynch intends to protest outside the home.
Your thoughts - is this just something that is overblown or is it a religious hate crime?
2007-10-13 12:18:55 · 25 answers · asked by genaddt 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I understand the point Ms. Lynch is trying to make.. but I think she's fighting the wrong battle here.
I've seen tons of decorations where skeletons are hanging from nooses, witches and bats and ghouls are all twisted, bloody, gory.. it's just part of the "Halloween" tradition.. something in our subconscious that makes light of death, to make it less scary in our real lives. I honestly don't think this neighbor should be singled out for a hate-crime.. overblown.. by far.. My biggest concern is that it will minimize true hate crimes and those perpetuated in real ways against real witches..and I just happen to be one.
2007-10-13 12:42:23 · answer #1 · answered by Kallan 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I believe that this act falls to the intention of the person who placed the "decoration" in the front yard. If this neighbor had an issue with the woman's beliefs and there is prior history of some ill will between the two, this act may have been an opportunity to upset the woman who is a witch. If there was no previous history, it may simply be a halloween decoration and the witch is taking the decoration as a personal attach on her.
My feeling is that there was some type of interaction previous to this decoration being hung that would have made the woman feel that this was a personal attack.
How concerning it is that people still cannot openly be who they are without fear of being ridiculed or threatened.
Blessings!
Kerri
Spiral Insights
http://www.spiralinsights.com
2007-10-13 13:04:05 · answer #2 · answered by spiralinsights 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's certainly in poor taste, especially since the neighbor undoubtedly knows Ms. Lynch is a witch. But I wouldn't call it a hate crime during the Halloween season. If it was up in the spring, I would say you had a case.
I think Ms. Lynch should put up a large cauldron and a life-size doll that looks like the neighbor in it, with crepe paper fire under it.
2007-10-13 12:58:30 · answer #3 · answered by auntb93 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, if he know the neighbor Ms. Lynch is a witch and doesn't like her or her affiliations, he may have done it deliberately to taunt her. But how would he know it would offend her? Also, I've seen many witches as decorations during the Halloween season. Some look like they crashed into a tree. Does she protest every person who puts witches up during Halloween? I 'd write this one off as a Halloween decoration, and say she needs to get over it.
2007-10-13 12:42:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
What would make it a hate crime is a malicious intent towards real life witches. I really doubt that's what the people intended. Mass. has a lot of witch related stuff during Halloween (especially in Salem). I think it was just meant to be an inventive decoration and nothing more.
2007-10-13 12:28:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
It is a hate crime, though protesting would be unbecoming of Ms. Lynch it is with in her rights, but I would say the more appropriate thing to do would be to file a religious discrimination report with the local police, or Attorney General.
I am a witch and as such:
I sympathize with Ms. Lynch. after all what witch wouldn't.
Blessed Be.
2007-10-13 13:24:25 · answer #6 · answered by Zero Cool 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like he has a problem with his neighbor being a Witch. That doesn't make me think of Halloween fun, it makes me think he's trying to make a statement about lynching Ms. Lynch. It is VERY inappropriate!
)o( Blessed Be!
2007-10-13 12:36:48 · answer #7 · answered by whillow95 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
While I can see someone would be offended by such a display I feel the "witch" in this case is over reacting and behaving in a fashion that I personally find unbecoming to a Witch.
2007-10-13 12:37:50 · answer #8 · answered by Epona Willow 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does anyone else see the irony of the witch-ladies name: "Ms. Lynch?"
People who are offended at things that are supposed to be fun or funny deserve to be offended.
2007-10-13 12:40:28 · answer #9 · answered by asgspifs 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
I'm pretty sure that the neighbor did not intend his Halloween display as a demonstration of how real-life witches should be treated. Honestly... witches protest that they're nothing like the caricatures, and then protest that the caricatures represent them too well. Which one is it?
2007-10-13 12:22:24 · answer #10 · answered by prairiecrow 7 · 15⤊ 0⤋