'The twinkling, colorful lights are a reminder of divisions': Minnesota resident slams neighbor's Christmas display as 'harmful' to those who can't afford decorations or don't celebrate the holiday
A Minnesota resident who put up Christmas lights outside their home has received a letter from a neighbor describing the display as 'harmful'.
The unnamed homeowner - who lives on Coolidge St in the city of St. Anthony - passed the letter along to Crime Watch Minneapolis, which shared a photo to Twitter on Monday.
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' the resident 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'.
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'
Americans across the country are putting up light displays outside their home in order to bring some festive cheer to their communities. Pictured: stock image of a display erected in Brooklyn, New York
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 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 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.
Christmas displays are popular with Americans, regardless of whether they celebrate the holiday or not