Wed, Feb 22, 2012

Oxford Hills feels safe

Dec 02, 2010 12:00 am

To the Editor:

My name is Brian W. Sessions and I would like to give some input about your article, "Hate Crime."

I would first like to qualify my statement by saying that I have for the past 32 years been married to someone from a Latin American or Asian country. During those years myself, wife and two daughters have been living here within the Oxford County and Greater Oxford Hills most of those 32 years. Many of those years we had several of her family members whom themselves were from Central America.

During the time we were living here in the Oxford Hills our family "never felt unsafe," never felt the area was not welcoming to us in any way and at no time were we ever given a hard time from any law enforcement.

The Oxford Hills area is one of the safest places to live if you are a mixed race couple with children. For that reason my new wife Gracia (whom is from Philippines) has moved back into the area and will soon be joined by our newborn child in January. If this was not a safe place to live I would never bring my new wife and soon newborn child into the area.

Brian Sessions

Norway

pinkytwsiter says:

I am not familiar with the details of the supposed hate crime but I recall many times even in the distant past of individuals placing mean and hateful words or stating racial hatred in the Oxford Hills region. Granted everyone, yes everyone has at one point or time label individuals and have had thoughts based on a generalization of a particular group. the point is weather you verbalize it or act out on these thoughts. Yet, this happens in small towns and big cities alike. Most likely this came from some kids or local idiot as they do not even know how to spell, what a shock! Unfortunately this is typically the case, it happens, but seems like it is being taken care of quickly by local authorities.

Overall I do agree with anytime I have been there in the Oxford Hills Region with someone of another race we have been met with glances, mostly of you are not from here, must be from out-of-state, etc. but never had any direct confrontation. But it is always a possibility anywhere you live, small town or big city. I am sure if you go to a small province in the Philippines you would get lots of looks and a few people might be thinking some generalization of yourself. It happens but should always be quickly diffused and not acted out as was the case here. It is a sad moment indeed.

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