TRASHING HATE
After a trash can is defaced with symbol of hate, woman turns it into art; now her neighbors are rallying around her
Residents are painting images of hearts, peace signs and flowers on trash cans across the township and beyond its borders, after an incident of ethnic graffiti shook a quiet Havertown community last week.
It was on the morning of Aug. 19 that Esther Cohen-Eskin, a Havertown resident for almost 20 years, found the disturbing image of swastika spray-painted on her trash can.
Cohen-Eskin has no idea who the perpetrator was, or why they chose to vandalize her property in this manner.
She noted, however, that neighbors’ homes were not affected.
“It was just us. We were the only ones who got targeted,” said Cohen-Eskin.
Police Chief John Viola said in an email Thursday that police have seen an increase of graffiti in certain areas, but received only one report of an ethnic tag, the swastika on Cohen-Eskin’s trash can Detectives are investigating. Megan Connell, a neighbor, said Wednesday that she “could have cried” when she learned of the incident. Living on a tranquil block where neighbors routinely help each other out, “I never in a million years thought I would see that ... I was so shocked. They’re really nice people.”
Describing her response as simultaneously “furious, scared, and sad,” Cohen-Eskin called her good friends, Sonya Klimuk and Chris Kellett.
“To think that somebody would hurt Esther and her family this way is just devastating,” said Klimuk. “She’s the greatest person. She touches everyone in a positive way.”
Kellett searched the Internet and found out about an artistic initiative called Paintback, whereby German artists have transformed neo-Nazi images, including some 50 swastikas, into fanciful figures of rabbits, owls, a Rubik’s cube and cartoon mosquito.
The goal is to take an “ugly message and make something beautiful out of it.”
Kellett encouraged Cohen-Eskin to adopt a similar strategy.
“Don’t give this person, who made you feel angry and unsafe, the power ... Nothing conquers hate more than love. Do something to turn it around,” he said.
Another friend suggested painting a smiley face over the swastika.
An artist by profession, CohenEskin took her paints outside and transformed the swastika into a beautiful orange pinwheel flower.
She posted photos on Facebook and distributed flyers to neighbors explaining the situation, along with an open invitation and instructions on how to participate.
“I am asking you, in this neighborhood and beyond ... to paint something positive on your trash cans. We can, in our little way, turn this symbol of hate into something beautiful ... anything your imagination can come up with.
“The only criteria is to start with this negative symbol, the swastika, and make it positive,” she wrote.
Cohen-Eskin said that literally, within minutes, people began texting, emailing and posting on Facebook.
Images of trash cans covered top to bottom with peace symbols, “No Place for Hate” slogans, butterflies, flower gardens, expressions of love, and more poured in from near and far, including the United Kingdom, Canada and Germany.
“It’s beautiful,” Cohen-Eskin said. “It’s unbelievable.”
Klimuk, Kellett and their 12-year-old son, Strummer, turned swastikas into Ferris wheels, a portrait of their Boxer, Miles, and a rendition of the Philadelphia LOVE sculpture.
What happened to the CohenEskins “is horrible, and doesn’t make any sense,” said Strummer. “I’m proud of Esther for turning something so negative into something so positive.”
Connell and her family painted “H-Town Unity” across the tops of two trash receptacles, along with other positive symbols and doodles by their 3-year-old daughter.
Cohen-Eskin said the overwhelming response has reinforced her sense of an inclusive community where “Everyone has my back ... It felt like everyone couldn’t believe this outrageous thing happened. Everyone turned it around and made it positive.”
Painting the swastika was a “stupid act,” she said. “But I really want to believe that people in my community aren’t like that.”
Additionally, Cohen-Eskin said she isn’t focusing on trying to find out the perpetrator’s identity.
“I don’t want to give them any power. I’d rather give the power to the people who are rising up and making it positive,” she said.
Said Klimuk, “I don’t think we’ll find out who the person was, but hopefully they understand that we won’t put up with this type of hate. Hopefully, the perpetrator learned a lesson. Not in our town.”