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Rainbow House Challenges Hate Group Next Door
16 May
Summary
- A man bought a house next to a hate group and painted it rainbow colors.
- The colorful house, known as the Equality House, became a viral symbol.
- This act is part of a history of 'spite houses' built to annoy neighbors.
In Topeka, Kansas, Aaron Jackson transformed a house adjacent to the Westboro Baptist Church into a colorful beacon of defiance. He purchased the property after discovering it on Google Earth and, in a deliberate act of 'agitprop,' painted its exterior in rainbow stripes, mirroring a Pride flag. This "Equality House" became an internet sensation, symbolizing compassion and peace in contrast to the church's hate speech.
The "Equality House" project extends beyond a single act of protest. Jackson's initiative is part of his larger nonprofit, Planting Peace, which supports various charitable causes. While some view the house as a "spite house"—structures historically built to annoy neighbors—Jackson frames it as a symbol of positive change.
The concept of spite houses has a notable history, particularly in America. Boston's "Skinny House," a narrow four-story structure, was built to block a brother's view and sunlight. Similarly, Sarajevo's "House of Resentment" was a homeowner's defiance against authorities. Even a small "spite triangle" in New York City's West Village stands as a testament to personal disputes solidified in real estate.
Jackson is now converting the Equality House into a museum and library. This aims to provide visitors with more than just photo opportunities, encouraging education on LGBT issues and fostering understanding. The project has sparked conversations, with visitors approaching it as an activist experiment or a spiteful act, reflecting the varied interpretations of its purpose.
