01-31-25: Trends in hate

Council moves swiftly today,

Item to item,

Motion to motion.

I am surrounded;

Professor on my left,

Sports editor on my right.

Surrounded by people,

Surrounded by LED lights

Surrounded by the obvious realization

Hate is real.

Hate is infiltrating Jacksonville.

Our historian approaches the stand,

States his name:

            Dr. Wesley Bishop.

States his address:

            (Redacted.)

States his purpose:

            Against hate.

Hate through

Heavily-pasted

Neo-Nazi,

White supremacy,

Posters,

Stickers,

“Propaganda”

Hiding under the guise of

“Freedom”

Plastered on poles,

Benches,

Power boxes,

Historical monuments

Poised members were,

Shocked,

Emphatic,

Unaware of the subtleties

And effects of hate

Slipping into the quaint Southern town,

Brought to their attention

Through public comments.

-Madeline Ricard