New Jersey's Love Trumps It's Hate: Election 2016 Inspires Calls For Peace

As more reports of angry, hateful and outrageous behavior emerge in the wake of Donald Trump’s election day victory over Hillary Clinton, it’s easy to focus on the negative headlines.

But in New Jersey, there were just as many voices calling for peace, understanding and a good laugh after the election. Check out some of the Garden State's inspiring and positive post-election day stories here.

POOPY PASTRY EASES ELECTION STRESS

A New Jersey bakery has figured out the recipe for a good laugh: buttermilk chocolate cake, a marshmallow center and rich chocolate ganache. That’s the formula behind the “Everybody Poops,” the hilarious and tasty bakery brainchild of the Montclair Bread Co.’s owner and head baker Rachel Crampsey.

Crampsey - a Culinary Institute of America graduate and former employee at Bread Alone, Tribeca Oven and Amy’s Bread - told Patch that the poopy pastry was born when the bakery’s staff noticed that the election season was beginning to stress out their customers.

• See related article: N.J. Bakery’s Poopy Pastry Gets Grins After Grim Presidential Election

‘WE WILL NOT TOLERATE HATE’

Glen Rock Borough elected officials, police officers, school officials, and other local leaders will watch out for each other, and especially residents, in the coming days and weeks.

This is the message Mayor Bruce Packer wishes to convey to the community after a number of incidents, including protests, hate crimes, and physical attacks, and bullying in schools, have been reported throughout the country in the days following Donald Trump's historic upset of Hillary Clinton in the presidential election.

• See related article: Glen Rock 'Will Not Tolerate Hate,' Mayor Says

THE BAD GUY WON… HOW COME?

In Moorestown, a six-year-old woke up to the news that Donald J. Trump had won and was the president-elect of the United States.

His reaction was immediate: a cry of alarm that resonated through the apartment where he lives with his parents and two siblings. “Mommy, the bad guy won. How come?”

• See related article: Patch Letter To The Editor: Adults Must Bridge The Political Divide For A Nation Of Divided Children

MARCH FOR COMMUNITY

“In the wake of the election many members of our community are feeling devastated, afraid and targeted,” Essex County residents wrote.

“Let's support each other by walking together as a community to promote inclusion and diversity. At sunset we will stand together as one and shine a light into the darkness.”

• See related article: Election Aftermath: Montclair Residents Plan March ‘For Community And Connection’

KINDNESS IS ALWAYS EXPECTED

It’s an important lesson for students and adults… kindness is always expected.

That’s the simple-yet-inspirational message that West Orange Superintendent Jeffrey Rutzky had for parents and students last week in the wake of one of the most vitriolic and polarized presidential elections in recent U.S. history.

“Kindness is always expected and bullying will never be tolerated,” Rutzky wrote.

• See related article: This N.J. School’s Post-Election Message Of Peace Is Just What We Need

TRUMP’S BANNON APPOINTMENT

President-elect Donald Trump's choice of Steve Bannon to be his chief strategist has many people worried, including Congressman-elect Josh Gottheimer.

Gottheimer, a Jewish democrat, is a resident of Wyckoff. He defeated seven-term incumbent Rep. Scott Garrett earlier this month to represent New Jersey's 5th Congressional District.

• See related article: Congressman-Elect Gottheimer Speaks Out Against Trump's Appointment Of Bannon

CHALK MESSAGES OF PEACE

Emotions may be running hot after Donald Trump’s presidential win, but hatred has no place at Columbia High School.

As reports of violent and racist displays emerge across the nation in the wake of Trump’s victory, students at the Maplewood school left messages of peace written in chalk outside their building.

• See related article: Columbia High Students Leave Chalk Messages Of Peace

Photo: Elizabeth Aaron, Twitter

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