Thank you.

Westboro Baptist Church and your organization probably don’t get many thank you letters from students who don’t agree with the ideals of your cult. When you came to my school, I was ready for the cliché signs, pompous ideas and your infamous shaming for being a human, and I wasn’t disappointed. What came as an eye-opener wasn’t your followers screaming against us and America, and whatever had offended them that day; what became a golden moment was when the students who came to protest you sang a message of love over your hate.

I never thought music could be so powerful; that even those with hate in their hearts would be banished. But, it wasn’t just the music, it was the students. Those who you sought out to offend and fill with your hatred; they were the ones to overlook your message and instead preach love where you saw none. They preached forgiveness where you had none to give. It was the young adults who stood as a wall against your storm clouds and brought rainbows and sunshine for all who needed it. If it wasn’t for you, Westboro Baptist Church, I wouldn’t have seen the beautiful hearts of those I am surrounded by.

It is too easy to look at you and your followers and only see the bad in humanity; to impose that society has made us mean and cruel. But, we are nothing like you. We may have our bad days or do things that people look down on, but we will never be like you. The day you came to campus was the day I realized how amazing we are. Despite your antagonism, we stood and watched you make fools of yourselves. We stood there to remind you we are one group. All these students - who represent how different we all are - stood together in harmony and refused to let you hurt or bully us.

So thank you for restoring my faith in humanity. Thank you for restoring my faith in those who I pass everyday on the street. Thank you for reminding me that hate is easy to preach, but love is a stronger message to accept. Maybe one day, you will put down your signs and start being decent human beings to those around you. But, for now, you being a reminder that there is good in the world, and there is love around us, will have to do.

Sincerely.