The following letter was received by the Commission in response to the letter of support it had sent to a Yorba Linda family that was targeted by hate. Read more details about the family’s experience here.
November 26, 2012
Good morning Rusty,
Happy Thanksgiving! I understand that its a holiday and your probably not at work but I had to email you to let you know that I am so very renewed and overjoyed.
Initially, I wasn’t sure if telling our story to you and the commission was a good idea or if it would fall on deaf ears. Because of you and your commission, we know we made the right decision. I’m overjoyed at all of the awareness and efforts that you and your staff are doing. I shared them with ### and the rest of our family. They were so very THANKFUL! I, now understand the importance of sharing our story as so many people of color are afraid to share their stories from fear of retaliation and/ or that it would fall on deaf ears.
We were saddened to read or hear of the ignorance of people to deny or insinuate that we would fabricate these stories. WHY? What would our motivation be? Because of our professions, we’re financially stable and not for publicity as you know our identities have remained private. Education is so very powerful and important.
Although we have left Yorba Linda city and Orange county, we are excited to know that some residents in Yorba Linda are taking this opportunity to listen, observe, ask questions, analyze, and consider that these incidents may have and are happening in their community. This type of behavior should not be accepted or perpetuated in this day and age and in America! Education and Knowledge are so very powerful and significant towards ending racial inequality, prejudice, and hate crimes.
Our backgrounds and story were unbeknownst to the neighborhood and residents of Corona, and we have been received well and welcomed without any visual prejudicial vices based solely on our merit and character. My family and I will have a great Thanksgiving in our new home and neighborhood in Corona because of your collective efforts.
Happy Thanksgiving Rusty and staff! And, please keep us posted on all of your efforts in this regard.
Sincerely,
Dear Rusty and Staff;
My heart ached, knowing that this could happen in Orange County, in a community where I have friends. Unfortunately, “one bad apple….”
Thank you for sharing the thank you letter sent by this family–how gracious. It would be nice to have an address where one could send Holiday Greeting, OR if you could be the collector of Xmas Cards for this family.
Gratefully,
Nellie
I too would like this family to know how distressed I am that this could happen anywhere but especially so close to where I live in Fullerton. I remember how your mother, Rusty, worked to make Fullerton a place where everyone was welcome and could live. My mother too integrated our church in Ithaca, NY in the early 1940s and she invited people from many different backgrounds into our home. It makes the world a much more interesting place and we are fortunate to live in a diverse state such as California instead of a state where everyone looks and sounds the same. Please convey my sorrow and apologies to this family that had to endure such a terrible experience.