in their words
THE AUTHO R IS A DUK E P RO F E SSO R OF ME DICINE A ND IMMUN OLOGY WH O HAS LIVE D IN D URH A M S IN CE THE L AT E ’ 7 0 S .
Get Off My Lawn B Y DAV I D S . P I S ET S KY, M.D., PH.D.
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HERE WAS A TIME WHEN, OUTSIDE ELECTION SEASON, YARD SIGNS appeared on front lawns only on occasions of some import. “For Sale” has always been a biggie although, arguably, “Sale Pending” and “Sold” announce more meaningful transactions. Advertisements for tradespeople – “Rex the Roofer” or “Percy the Painter” – also make brief appearances. Other signs stay up longer and have information worth noticing: “No Trespassing” or “Beware of Dog.” Now shields and badges for security systems abound. Around Forest Hills, new kinds of signs are proliferating and are almost as ubiquitous as azaleas. As I walk around the neighborhood, I regularly pass signs that include “Black Lives Matter,” “Welcome, Y’all,” “Hate Has No Home Here” and “No Matter Where You Are From, We’re Glad You’re Our Neighbor.” Other Durham neighborhoods likely have different signs just as they did for Trump or Clinton. Some signs are simple and punchy: “Resist,” “Pray.” Others have long lists of interconnected ideas and beliefs. These signs are meant for someone who has time to stand and ponder and let the messages sink in. These are not for drivers who race down Arnette Avenue after a cautioning jounce or two from speed bumps. The current champion sign looks like a flag and reads, “In Our America: All People
Are Equal. Love Wins. Black Lives Matter. Immigrants & Refugees Are Welcome. Disabilities Are Respected. Women Are In Charge Of Their Bodies. People & Planet Are Valued Over Profit. Diversity is Celebrated.” A similar sign, which is displayed in rainbow hues, includes “Kindness Is Everything” and “Climate Change Is Real.” Some signs are colorful. Two tricolors – red, white and blue, and green, blue and orange – are very popular and, of course, there are representations of rainbows. The languages are also diverse. The “Resist” signs include “Resiste” and a word, presumably
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