“The process is systematic: show the film, have a discussion, read the book, and take action–activities like community members having coffee with police officers, planting community L.O.V.E. Gardens, and hope that it causes a shift.”
WORCESTER—Worcester could be one of many American cities to join the L.O.V.E. Is the Answer movement, and former Worcester police officer William Gardiner is working to make that happen. L.O.V.E. stands for “Learn about people, Open your heart to their needs, Volunteer to be part of the solution in their lives, and Empower others to do the same.”
In 2022, Gardiner was introduced to A.J. Ali, author of the book “L.O.V.E. Is The Answer” and producer and director of the film “WALKING WHILE BLACK: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer,” and he quickly joined the movement. After reading the book and watching the film, “I immediately became involved in weekly Zoom calls,” Gardiner said. He is now a member of the movement’s leadership team.
The theme of the 90-minute film is culture change on the individual, collective, and systemic levels—a process that Ali emphasizes does not happen overnight. “It will take work and it will take time,” he said. “But, if you start today, you are guaranteed to begin seeing changes almost immediately, starting with yourself.”
“WALKING WHILE BLACK: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer,” features interviews with peace officers, faith leaders, educators, and activists and is described as offering “an inspiring blueprint to end racial profiling and heal our communities.” Ali decided to make the film to document his own story of being profiled by police in his Michigan community and then targeted for reporting his experience to Internal Affairs.
“I have given the film to dozens of people–-community members, city council members, and police officers–and we’ve had three virtual screenings in the past year,” said Gardiner. “Most of the folks who have watched the film are blown away, and some have said that it’s the ‘most amazing documentary I’ve ever seen,’ and agree to support the movement.”
As L.O.V.E. Is The Answer’s grants manager, Gardiner applied for U.S. Congressional Project funding, but the application was not passed on to Congress. He plans to submit grant applications to local funders, including the Greater Worcester Community Foundation.
Gardiner is taking things slowly, following steps, and finding allies. He explained: “The process is systematic: show the film, have a discussion, read the book, and take action–activities like community members having coffee with police officers, planting community L.O.V.E. Gardens, and hope that it causes a shift. Things like individuals and groups getting together to talk about their differences and see that each side is human also, hopefully resulting in more communication.”
Enlisting help from Roberto Diaz, executive director of Worcester Interfaith, the two approached the city’s administration to explore how Ali’s formula could benefit Worcester’s community-police relations. The Worcester Police Department services include a Community Policing program and a Neighborhood Response Team of more than 15 neighborhoods that meet regularly to address “quality of life” issues.
Reaching out to faith organizations is also on Gardiner’s agenda. During this time of heightened conflict in the Middle East, Gardiner said, “I’d love to get Muslim and Jewish communities to watch the movie together, talk, break bread together, acknowledge that there is an issue, and work on forgiveness and reconciliation.”
Gardiner and Ali emphasize that L.O.V.E. Is The Answer can be applied to improve relations in other areas of life: government operations; employee relations; diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging programs; and family conflict.
“Our entire nation is suffering from centuries-long dual epidemics of hate and indifference,” said Ali, a veteran of the United States Air Force. “L.O.V.E. Is The Answer is committed to teaching people nationwide how to love themselves and love others.”
Segments of “WALKING WHILE BLACK: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer” depict stories of conflict between citizens and police, as well as stories of reconciliation that demonstrate the promise of taking action with love. In the film, a white former Benton Harbor police officer admits his actions facilitated the wrongful arrest and subsequent conviction of an African-American father. It ultimately resulted in the officer’s resignation from the force. After serving four years for the crime he did not commit, the man confronted the former police officer and walked away after receiving a failed apology. Ultimately, the two men reconciled and formed a close, lasting relationship after being randomly reunited in a mentorship program.
“Bil will be a great leader to bring people together in a big way,” said Ali, who envisions Worcester citizens enrolling in the eight-week “Lead & Serve with L.O.V.E.” virtual leadership class (enrollment for January 2024 is now open) graduating, and going on to participate in a transformative community project led by Gardiner.
“It has been slow in Worcester, but that’s not any different than most communities,” continued Ali. “When people realize that there’s work involved, many people turn away to try to find a quick fix somewhere else, which they don’t find. That’s the sad truth. But, when people are ready, we’ll be here. We’re not going anywhere. And when they are ready to go all in with the work, we’ll be right beside them, supporting them, teaching them, mentoring them, and encouraging them.”
Sandy Lashin-Curewitz has written and published a diverse range of content–feature stories, profiles, academic, business operations, and marketing copy–under her own name, the pseudonym Ina Irving, and as a ghostwriter in such publications as the NADD Bulletin, Foodies of New England, The Princeton Review, Huffington Post, Artscope, and Worcester Magazine. She is a student of the 2023 Tara Brach/Jack Kornfield Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Training Program. A public relations and marketing professional, she has served mission-driven organizations such as The HeartWell Institute, Guardian Angel Senior Services, Advocates, Becker College, and United Way of Central Massachusetts. She can be reached at sandy.b.lashincurewitz@gmail.com
