We know now who will be representing us in Hartford, and whether or not your chosen candidate came out on top, supporting them and speaking with — not at — them to make known your concerns will provide them with input they need to do their jobs.

The winners must also commit to engaging with constituents in a meaningful way and offering legislation on the issues important to people in our town and in our region. Our leaders will have full plates addressing the novel coronavirus, budget, housing, and health care; but they must also be guided to address inequities stemming from racism.

In just the past month, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes and local groups have been assaulted with hate-filled “Zoom-bombing” of virtual meetings. We hear from individuals who have been subject to, or have had to comfort their children after, not just microaggressions, but overt racist name calling. Our school board has been alerted to deficiencies in recognizing, reporting, and addressing racial incidents in our schools and has begun the process of creating policy that clarifies action that must be taken to rectify this.

We have had slurs scribbled across the exterior of Newtown’s Congregation Adath Israel just over a year ago; a false accusation during a robbery of anti-Semitism that nonetheless instilled fear in local residents; postings by white supremacists in the center of Sandy Hook; and ongoing threats endured by individuals, families, and organizations every December 14.

We say that hate has no home in Newtown, but we are painfully aware that it is an unwelcome guest.

Our newly reelected officials have work cut out for them. This cannot be brushed aside even while dealing with ongoing town and state crises and the unpredictable whims of nature and mankind to which they must be ready to respond.

What solutions can be immediately applied to raising awareness and halting the spread of hate and racism as it applies to our town?

Words matter. Words that heal, not hurt, will be a start.

Teach our children. Encourage questions and help them recognize racist and hateful actions and report to an adult they trust. Point out the attitudes in culture that divide rather than unify people. Identify why these are not acceptable.

Educate yourselves. Without knowledge of what is affecting our neighbors negatively and of our own misunderstandings, we cannot make changes that matter. Seek out reputable sources, join local gatherings that can give you insight as to the what and why of hate. Make it a goal to change just one stereotyped idea you have, to take just one moment more to reconsider language that can be harmful, to learn just one bit of less-known history — history that impacted the lives of Americans.

No town is happy to be called out as unmindful toward a significant part of its population. Help our elected officials find lasting solutions to problems too long denied and ignored.

Give them direction, in a way you would want to receive it. After all, we choose love, right?