Minnesota resident writes anonymous note slamming neighbor's Christmas lights display as a 'reminder of systemic biases' against people who don't celebrate the holiday or can't afford decorations of their own
A Minnesota resident who put up Christmas lights outside her home has received a letter from a neighbor describing the display as 'harmful'.
The homeowner, a local nurse named Kim Hunt, told DailyMail.com on Tuesday that three other residents on her street in St. Anthony also received the nasty note in their mailboxes
The letter, which has been written anonymously, states: 'I couldn't help but notice your Christmas light display. The idea of twinkling, colorful lights are a reminder of divisions that continue to run through our society, a reminder of systemic biases against our neighbors who don't celebrate Christmas or who can't afford to put up lights of their own.'
The letter continues: 'We must do work of educating ourselves about the harmful impact an outward facing display like yours can have.'
The unknown author of the letter then goes on to 'challenge' homeowners to 'respect the dignity of all people' and 'learn from differences, ideas and opinions of our neighbors'.
'We must come together collectively and challenge institutional inequities; St. Anthony is a community welcoming of all people and we must demand better of ourselves'.
Hunt told DailyMail.com that she was 'bewildered and sad' after receiving the message.
'My simple light display gives me joy when I come home from working on the Covid unit at a local hospital,' she stated.
'I think it's sad we can't all appreciate diversity and celebrate traditions of all people. '
A Minnesota resident who put up Christmas lights outside their home has been left shocked after receiving a letter from an anonymous neighbor describing the festive display as 'harmful'
The unnamed homeowner - who lives on Coolidge St in the city of St. Anthony - received a letter after putting up these lights
The letter was immediately met with backlash on social media, with many pointing out that the author ironically did not seem 'welcoming' of neighbors who wanted to celebrate Christmas by decorating their homes.
Former Baltimore Ravens quarterback Derek Anderson chimed in, stating: 'Saw this coming a long time ago. 'If I can't have it nobody can' or 'If they have it we all deserve it'. That's not life.'
Others said that the letter made them want to send more Christmas lights to the homeowner in St. Anthony so that they could double down on their display.
'If this guy wants to Clark Griswald his house this weekend, I'll lend him a hand,' one wrote, referring to the 1989 film The National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, in which the lead character decks out his house in twinkle lights.
The letter was immediately met with backlash on social media
Another wrote: 'They should 1: Light it [their home] up like a football field, and 2: Have the letter projected on to their garage door with a cutout of The Grinch pointing at it'.
'People have lost it,' a third person added.
'Love the lights and the holiday spirit, whatever you celebrate. It is about the good in all of us and celebrating that. I was just thinking I need more [lights] next year and then I read this. Now I definitely need more. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all!'
Others who were Jewish and Hindu chimed in saying they enjoyed seeing Christmas light displays, and sent out their best wishes to those who were celebrating the holiday.
A GoFundMe has now been started for the Hunt family, in order for them to buy even more lights for their home.
Christmas displays are popular with Americans, regardless of whether they celebrate the holiday or not
