Rainbows Rock

Who says you shouldn’t throw stones?

By Daniel Israel

Photos courtesy of City Hall

Fear, anxiety, despair, and gloom are just some of the emotions that the COVID-19 pandemic has engendered in the U.S. and around the world. However, some Hudson County locals have been working to spark joy and give fellow residents a smile.

Rainbows Over Bayonne has been a sensation since the onset of the pandemic, in the city and online. Rainbow-painted rocks, sidewalk chalk messages of hope, and rainbow pictures are among the uplifting creations, anonymously bestowed.

In the fall, the combination of a deadly pandemic and an incredibly divisive election season made rainbow rocks and encouraging messages more important than ever.

BAYONNE ROCKS

Many residents have received rocks painted with rainbows and the words “Rainbows over Bayonne.” Some folks have been paying it forward by painting and anonymously gifting their own rainbow rocks.

According to social media posts, the rocks are secretly left on porches or steps for residents to happily discover.

Mayor James Davis, who received a rainbow rock, said, “I truly love this city! Jamie and I keep fi nding these rocks, and they make us so happy and proud!”

The Rainbows Over Bayonne slogan has adorned sidewalks in an array of bright colors with positive messages.

“Thank you, postal and delivery workers” is a message left in front of one of the local post offi ces.

“Smile,” read another message on another sidewalk.

The chalk message on the sidewalk in front of RWJBarnabas Health at Bayonne on 24th and Broadway, read, “Heroes work here.”

VIRTUAL VIBES

Rainbows Over Bayonne is more of a loose movement than an organized group. It has an online presence that promotes happiness and positive vibes.

Its Facebook page was started in March by Jaime Lynn. Since its founding, more than 1,500 members have joined the group.

“This group is all about spreading positivity in Bayonne,” according to the Rainbows Over Bayonne mission statement. “Shining a light through an awful storm for all of us to see!”

Residents have been sharing rainbowrelated content on the page in hopes of brightening each other’s social media feeds. Posts include double rainbows in Bayonne and across the world, tie-dye DIY recipes, and babies in rainbow onesies.

The forum has four rules: no selling of any kind, no promotions, self-promotion, or spam, no videos or pictures outside the message of positivity, and no politics.

“Spread the word!” says Rainbows Over Bayonne. “We want to see rainbows and positivity all throughout Bayonne! This too shall pass.”

While the trend began during the state’s COVID-19 closure, the group is still active in person with the occasional uplifting message written in chalk, and online with photos of rainbows over Bayonne, and feel-good messaging.

With the end of the pandemic far from sight, the group’s message of hope is needed now more than ever.

So get some chalk and fi nd some rocks!—BLP