Colors of change

Fall is a season for change, brought alive by brilliant colors all around us.

However, colors of change in Marion this past weekend could be found in a parking spot on Lincoln St.

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple were the colors of vibrant stripes painted in the parking spot in a rainbow pattern used to symbolize unity and pride in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

White was the color of the pickup truck parked in the space over Old Settlers’ Day weekend.

I’d like to think some thoughtful, well-meaning soul put that truck there to protect that rainbow from being vandalized, as it was earlier in the week. I think it’s beautiful.

However, I have my doubts, given some of the negative, even hateful pushback the flag’s presence has received.

It’s just as possible that with the flag so clearly visible to passers-by on Main St. that someone wanted to hide it from the view of hundreds of Old Settlers’ Day visitors.

We don’t know which scenario is correct, but rest assured that the colors of change sweeping the nation in recent years have found their way to Marion.

Letters printed elsewhere on this page unjustly paint the entire community with a damning brush — “intolerant,” an “embarrassment,” and “floundering.” I wonder why the writers are so quick to embrace such language.

Yes, we have our small share of haters. They were outweighed by the number of encouraging supporters who affirmed both the painter and his First Amendment right to freedom of speech. Some may be intolerant, but they don’t define this community. We do.

I would hope that the events of this past week have opened the door to open dialogue about the issues of LGBT people living among us. We all will not agree on some things, but when it comes to hate and destruction and violence, we as a community must agree not to tolerate those. That is far more defining of who we should be than a bunch of petty haters.

— david colburn