To the Editor:

Although I have greatly appreciated my life since moving to Newtown 40 years ago, a number of distressing incidents have also occurred during this time: At a Labor Day parade, the father sitting next to me with his two young children loudly protested the Jewish synagogue’s first-time attendance in this communitywide event. He learned very quickly that I was “a Jew.”

Just two years ago, a swastika was spray-painted on this same synagogue. In June 2021, a Newtown teen was arrested and charged with a series of hate and computer crimes after disrupting online high school classes with racial epithets — one of a series of student “zoombombing.” Some people even complained that his arrest “took away his First-Amendment rights.” In addition, several times I have talked with townspeople who demeaned mental illness, not knowing that I suffer with bipolar depression.

I know similar events occur in all communities, including my own hometown, but this does not make them any less disconcerting.

Communication and collaboration has played an integral role in both my education and employment. The act of communication or dialogue can only take place when one person says something and another person hears, and listens to, what is said and responds. The process becomes ineffective when sent messages are ignored or not given any fair thought.

Through such interpersonal communication, we proactively interact with others, learn more about them and ourselves, and enhance our society.

Positive communication is based on respect, and thus I gladly welcome Wesley Johnson in his new role in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. For many years, I have encouraged such a move to enhance our community.

It is a philosophy, a part of human existence. As Mr (and Pastor) Johnson has stressed, “DEI … is about fairness and access… it is about inclusivity, where students and families and the community feel they are respected and have a voice that is heard…” The primary word here is “inclusivity.” Rightly, DEI does include race, and also so much more. It means supporting a wide array of religious, cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds, as well as other vulnerable groups as the disabled, elderly, and economically disadvantaged.

In the school system, inclusivity provides a way for our children — our future — to feel comfortable with who they are and better understand and respect the uniqueness of others. It bolsters those who worry about not fitting in due to their personality, body image, gender orientation, home environment, or condition as ADD or ADHD.

It also helps them cope with the many additional stressors they now face with COVID. We want them to have personally fulfilling and rewarding adult lives and be resilient to future challenges as climate change, social unrest and discord, and further pandemics. For their and our betterment, we Newtowners must act as role models, communicate, and embrace each other’s individuality.

Sharon L. Cohen

Newtown