Racist Letter Targeting Nanny Prompts Anti-Hate Play Date

CHICAGO, IL -- Several women organized a "Stand Up To Hate Play Date" event in West Town after a family received anonymous racist mail that targeted their nanny. After taking the letter to police and Ald. Joe Moreno, the women said they felt more needed to be done.

"The event is designed merely to bring the community together and show that we do not stand for or agree with the hate shown in the letter," said the nanny, Ferrai Pickett. "Showing the children that bullying is never OK, and if it is happening around them, to stand up and say something."

Pickett, who has a degree in early childhood education from Moraine Valley Community College, said the event aims to keep children "open minded to diversity and unity."

The "Stand Up To Hate Play Date" is scheduled to be held on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Talcott Playground on West Ohio Street. (For more local news, subscribe to free email news alerts and a daily newsletter for your hometown Patch.)

"It was very upsetting to all of us, and while we were deeply hurt, we also knew that silence was not an option," the mothers posted to the event's Facebook page.

In a Twitter post, Ald. Joe Moreno called the anonymous letter "repulsive." He said it called the nanny the n-word, and was filled with other racial slurs, according to DNAinfo.

The letter says it "Concerns [sic] Ukrainian Village Moms" and finds it "amusing" that the family is "trying to rebel against the greatest leader the country has ever seen" by hiring the nanny.

"Please take heed to the advice being shared in this letter, find a new nanny. We do not need an infestation in our community," the letter says.

The alderman plans to attend the event and is calling for the community to join him.

Pickett said everyone is welcome to come to the play date, whether they have children or not. The event will include making paper "links of love" to hang up around the playground as a symbol of unity against hate.

Watch: Racist Letter Targeting Nanny Prompts Anti-Hate Play Date

Image courtesy of Ferrai Pickett/Facebook