Over the last week the quiet East London district of Walthamstow, one of the most ethnically diverse areas in London, has been shaken up by a string of racist messages graffitied on homes throughout the town.
At least four such messages have been reported by residents who woke to find “Speak English” had been spray painted on their walls, fences, or garage doors sometime during the night.
News of the vandalism traveled well beyond the streets of Walthamstow after Local MP Stella Creasy posted about the incident on Facebook.
To whoever the sad sack is who is targeting walthamstow with this hate crime graffiti- know that not only will we find…
Posted by Stella Creasy on Wednesday, November 28, 2018
On Facebook Creasy denounced the cowardly act of vandalism as hate speech and encouraged her constituents to instead celebrate their diversity by responding with a “big show of love.”
“Together we can drown out this little hate with a big show of love, and in doing so send a clear message that when you target one of us you get all of us standing up to fight back.”
One local artist seemed to take that message to heart.
I can only assume our local 'artist' was spooked before he could finish his masterpiece. Allow me to finish it for you #lovewalthamstow #E17 @stellacreasy pic.twitter.com/KeaGJkpD4t
— Chris Walker (@doodlebank) November 28, 2018
With a little bit of Photoshop magic Walthamstow resident Chris Walker turned the hateful graffiti into something that celebrated the area’s diversity. Walker, who works as a digital designer and illustrator, was born in Walthamstow.
He told Indy100 that, for locals, multiculturalism has always been the backbone of the community.
“Whoever was responsible clearly has no idea where they are living, I was born in Walthamstow and have lived here on and off for 40 years, it has always been a vastly multicultural community and that’s what makes it so great.”
So when Walker noticed that the vandal had left plenty of room around the graffiti, he decided to “fill in the blanks” and create something that better fit the spirit of Walthamstow.
His artful reimagination of the graffiti soon went viral and people praised his message of unity over hate.
This is the best thing ever. ❤️
— Greavsie (@GreavsieE17) November 29, 2018
The remix is better than the original. https://t.co/WzERoYgKEO
— Tommy Palmer (@tommypalm) November 29, 2018
👏🏻👏🏼👏👏🏽👏🏿
— fraïse (@phrais) November 29, 2018
Thank you for finishing it, I saw it the other day, and I much prefer your version of it.
— Marvo (@Malbecas) November 29, 2018
Can we add love to the languages spoken?
No?
Too cheesy? pic.twitter.com/DDA4Ryqjf8— AnneMarie Silbiger (@Happimess73) November 30, 2018
@evieoxtoby the best thing about this is that cockney is classed as a language
— bryony (@Bryony_Townend) November 29, 2018
The only problem? Walker didn’t have enough room to include every language spoken in Walthamstow.
And 50+ other languages!
— Caramel Quin (@caramelquin) November 28, 2018
No Irish?????
— Jonathan O'Dea MRSS (@JonathanODea) November 28, 2018
🇮🇹 Italian ….
— Elisabetta_Art ✏️ (@liziudica) November 29, 2018
Arabic, where is my language? I insist you add it.
— ahmed rouaba (@rouaba) November 30, 2018
Even after the positive response, Walker wasn’t sure his post would do much to fight hate, but he hoped it would remind others that all are welcome in Walthamstow.
“I’m not sure my little protest can stop things like this happening, but the response to it has, I hoped, brought the community together in speaking out and served to reassure that this is a minority view and that everyone is welcome in E17 and always will be.”
Walker got his wish as community members banded together to organize the planting of 6,000 flowers in a local park as another “big show of love.”
In response to nasty racist "SPEAK ENGLISH" graffiti popping up around #Walthamstow, Queens Boundary Community's hosting an event this Sunday to show solidarity & unity against racism plus an opportunity to strengthen friendships between neighbours of all cultures (contd) pic.twitter.com/t9a7ZcHFQU
— TallulahTangle (@TallulahTangle) November 28, 2018
"Hi Neighbours We will plant 6000 crocus bulbs in Thomas Gamuel park & surrounding streets, coming together in shared action to reclaim our neighbourhood. In spring when the flowers bloom we will be reminded of the strong ties that exist within [#Walthamstow]" (contd)
— TallulahTangle (@TallulahTangle) November 28, 2018
Walthamstow showed that the best way to respond to hate was with a whole lot of love. That’s one message we can all get behind.
H/T – Indy100, Daily Mail