This past Friday, Adam Yauch Park in Brooklyn Heights, named after the late Beastie Boys member, was hit by a wave of graffiti that included swastikas and a “Go Trump” slogan. But just a day later, local kids decided to turn the tide of negativity into a burst of positivity.
According to a report from NPR, the children took it upon themselves to transform the hateful messages into something much brighter. They covered the vandalism with colorful cut-out hearts and uplifting quotes, including the famous phrase by Lin-Manuel Miranda: “Love is love is love is love is love…” One creative kid even proclaimed that the playground train “stops fascists.” Talk about a playdate with a purpose!
This incident is part of a troubling trend of hate crimes following the election of President-Elect Trump, who has responded minimally to these acts, simply urging people to “stop it” during a recent interview. Thankfully, the younger generation knows that fighting hate with love is the better approach, and they’re setting a powerful example for all of us.
As a Brooklyn resident, I can relate to the importance of this park, which is just like many other playgrounds where kids enjoy their time. While the name Adam Yauch may not resonate with all the little ones, his legacy as a beloved local figure and human rights advocate surely should. It’s a shame the vandals couldn’t even get their swastikas right—talk about sad!
Hats off to the kids who reclaimed their park with handwritten signs of hope and love. You can join them, along with Councilman Brad Lander, Rep. Nydia Velazquez, and even one of the remaining Beastie Boys members at today’s “Stand Up Against Hate” rally at 11:30 a.m.
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In summary, what started as an act of vandalism was beautifully countered by the creativity and kindness of local children, proving that love can overcome hate.