I wish Annie Linskey had spoken to those of us who are not afraid of demographic changes in Norcross, Ga. Her article (“Feeling walled in,’’ Page A1, Sept. 11) was on the xenophobes, but she could have quoted one of us who engages with our neighbors, regardless of ancestral homeland or native tongue.

It saddens me that Donald Trump has brought so many racists out from under the kudzu, those who now speak their bigotry with no shame, while we who reject such fear and disrespect of others are made to feel that we should not shout from our rooftops that we welcome all.

I loved this town on sight, as it reminded me of Hollister, Calif., where I grew up, where Latinos and Anglos made a thriving community. Within days of moving into our new home, five neighbors told us, “You can’t send your children to the local public schools. They speak Spanish on the playground.’’ My kids were 6 months and 2 years old at the time.

When they were old enough, I enrolled them. The first year, ours was the only kid to get on the bus. Now, after my extolling the virtues of my kids’ experiences, other families are on the bus too. Our schools have proved to be a place for genuine community. Change is challenging, but as I’ve taught my kids: Practice being brave in situations that might be uncomfortable but that, if we’re honest with ourselves, aren’t truly dangerous, and shouldn’t scare us. This is how we thrive.

Kathleen Allen

Norcross, Ga.