Mt. Lebanon families join together to celebrate diversity
Families from around Mt. Lebanon braved the burgeoning November cold to slog across the muddy baseball field behind Hoover Elementary School in a display of unity and diversity. Forty-nine residents from more than 10 families of different races, religions and ethnicities gathered behind the school to have their photograph taken together, evidence of their commitment toward diversity in their community.
“It started by accident,” Anthony Moretti, who organized the Kodak moment, said.
In a Facebook group celebrating the diversity of Mt. Lebanon, a conversation began about what the weeks and months after the presidential election would hold. With parts of the country seemingly torn by political differences, Moretti and the rest of the group proposed a symbolic solution.
“Why don’t we gather a whole bunch of people together and take a picture that simply says, ‘We’re together,'” he explained.
The families united above a colorful painting of the United States on the playground behind the school.
“We’re already in Canada!” a participant joked, making light of the drastic measures some Americans have proposed in response to the election results.
These families aren’t going anywhere, though.
“I thought it was cool,” Nick Moretti, Anthony’s son, said about the gathering. “Our whole community is coming together.”
“Our whole community is a lot bigger than this school,” Raafay Khan, a Jefferson Middle School student, added.
Those involved in the photo realize that their show of solidarity is one step of many to making sure Mt. Lebanon remains a safe, diverse and supportive place for every family.
“I think we all just wanted to do something,” Francine Rosenthal said, “but at this point we don’t know what. Some of us are talking about, well, let’s use this as a springboard to get involved politically or get involved with immigrants in the community, or just whatever we can do to make our community better and send the message.”