Yard sign outside of Safety Harbor's City Hall reads "Black Lives Matter and justice for all." (Photo/Kathryn Malaxos)
Yard sign outside of Safety Harbor's City Hall reads "Black Lives Matter and justice for all." (Photo/Kathryn Malaxos)

Editorial: Anti-racism in Safety Harbor

in city hall/news/photos

Safety Harbor is a small southern town. What are the implications of that phrase — “small southern town”? What are the implications of racism in small southern towns? In cities and towns across this country? Have we, as citizens of a small southern town, chosen to ignore the impact of history? In doing so, what are we missing about our town’s present?

White people in this town — in every town — have the luxury of ignoring racism. And we do it every day. Many of us who purport to hold justice and freedom dear have the luxury to ignore what is right in front of us. But for Black residents, there is no luxury of ignorance.

Kathryn Malaxos has lived in Safety Harbor since 1990. She is a mother of two grown humans and a dog who may never grow up. Kathy started teaching in 1989 and continues to work as a public school teacher. She is a graduate of USF St. Pete’s master’s program for Digital Journalism & Design. Contact her with story ideas and suggestions at newsroom@safetyharborsun.com