Esther Cohen-Eskin, a Jewish resident of suburban Philadelphia, a week ago, August 19 at 9:39 AM filed this on her Facebook page:
“I walked outside this morning to take out the trash, and on my can someone spray painted a swastika. We have lived here for almost 20 years. I have happily raised my kids and celebrated the openness and safety of this town. I am so saddened by this occurrence. The fact that someone, in 2016, can actually have that kind of hatred and target it at me and my family makes me angry and sad for the ignorant, absurdly uninformed, uneducated asshole that felt it necessary to express his/her thoughts in this way.
“If anyone reading this has any information on who may have done this, or any other similar experiences in the area, please let me know. It’s time to put up cameras. Today.”
But on August 19 at 4:03 PM, Cohen-Eskin wrote this:
“Early this morning or late last night someone targeted me and my family by painting a swastika on our trash can. I was mad, scared and angry, and then our fellow neighbor and one of my dearest friends said, ‘Nothing conquers hate more than love.’ So I am asking you, in this neighborhood, (and beyond if you want to share), paint something positive on your trashcan! We can, in our little way, turn this symbol of hate into something beautiful. A flower, a peace sign, an animal, a doodle… anything your imagination can come up with. The only criteria is to start with this negative symbol, the swastika, and make it positive. Tag me in the photo or PM me after you create your masterpiece. I think when we all put our positivity forward it will make the fear and anger from this action transform into something that will be beautiful.
“Thanks in advance!”
Then she went ahead and painted a big, beautiful flower on her garbage can’s swastika.