Mass protests have brought attention to racism in systems, actions and beliefs. But as 15-year-old Lily Gallentine discovered, hate can also take shape in objects.
Editor’s note: This story contains descriptions of racist memorabilia and anti-Semitic items, some of which contain racial epithets.
Things with past lives filled every corner of the Farmers Co-op Antique Mall in Redmond. Decoy ducks nested among the rusty typewriters, musky clothes, and toys made for children who grew old long ago. The floorboards creaked as customers wandered through the maze of booths on a recent day. At first glance, one glass display case looked a lot like dozens of others: well-lit and full of knick knacks. But, something inside made 15-year-old Lily Gallentine do a double take.
“Am I seeing that right?” she remembered thinking. Then, she said, her heart began to race.