Thread by @MagicMagid

During my time as Lord Mayor, I kept a hate-box in the corner of my parlour, filled with dozens of abusive and hateful letters that were regularly awaiting me at the Town Hall.

None quite struck me like this one I received not long ago. (1/5)

The vile, racist language. The demeaning insults. The threat of harm. The sinister reference to a great woman who was brutally assassinated by a far-right terrorist.

But I'm not sharing this to ask for sympathy or anger. (2/5)

I'm sharing this as a harsh reminder.

A reminder of the hate and intolerance that has penetrated the very heart of our communities. A reminder of the difficulties we face in our struggle to build a fairer, more equal society. (3/5)

But we can - and will - continue to struggle. We will continue to speak truth to power - nobody can scare us into silence. When the time comes, we will act - and nobody can threaten us into inaction. (4/5)

Yes, hate is pervasive and it causes real harm. But by embracing courage, compassion and a vision of hope - we can defeat it. For the sake of humanity’s future, we must defeat it. (5/5)

#ChooseHope #DefeatHate

👊🏾💚