It seems unbelievable that a simple statement: Everyone is Welcome Here–a poster in a Meridian teacher’s classroom—could cause controversy, but it has. The district has their side. She has hers. And the community is responding. There are always two sides to every story, and I’ve been on both at different times in my life. We don’t like the feeling of controversy. But is it all bad?
Jesus Himself was controversial—challenging norms and making people uncomfortable for all the right reasons. In His day, religious influencers treated some people as untouchable, unreachable, and not worth the effort. But those were the very ones Jesus pursued. The ones He created a safe space for. The ones who felt understood by Him. Making people feel welcome can change a life.
It was a teacher who saw me and welcomed me. She helped me realize that I had a choice—to let life’s disappointments make me bitter, or to let them shape me into someone who sees others in their mess and makes them feel welcome.
So, regardless of how this all ends with the sign, it’s clear that it has stirred the community. People are taking sides, ordering sweatshirts, advocating for policy. But more than anything, I hope this teacher—and everyone responding—continues to create spaces where everyone is welcome.
That message, even surrounded by controversy, has power and will effect the hearts of the next generation watching us all process this.
