Window on the West
Opinion column
by Mary Rupert
Not too long ago, in 2015, I wrote an opinion column deploring a shooting tragedy at a church in South Carolina, where the assailant was reportedly a white supremacist.
Here we are with another tragedy last weekend, this time involving a white supremacists’ rally in Virginia. It was an act of domestic terrorism when a vehicle was driven by a white supremacist sympathizer into a crowd of people protesting against neo-Nazis, killing one and injuring many more, according to news reports.
This incident again is one that should be widely condemned in America. If members of the public are afraid to speak out about their opposition to the white supremacists’ violence, some leaders may assume the public has no opinion or they are in favor of the discrimination and hatred represented by this group.
In the background of this incident last weekend were attempts to take down statues of Confederate soldiers and officials in Virginia. Such changes are up to the community and state – and they reflect a changing society. In the Kansas City area, community leaders ought to consider changing the name of Johnson County, Kansas – a county named after a founder who held slaves – and all the accompanying institutions and the street named after Thomas Johnson.
A few important points after watching the news about violence and a death in Charlottesville, Va., following a white supremacists’ rally:
• I am appalled by the violence that took place at a white supremacists’ rally over the weekend in Virginia, in which a woman died after a car ran into a crowd of protesters.
• I do not support any of the positions or actions of white supremacists, including neo-Nazis and KKK. Discrimination and hate are wrong.
• I believe the vast majority of Americans, of all backgrounds, do not support them, either. Our multicultural society can work if we work at it.
• I support the rights of all persons in America for equal opportunity, justice, and the right to live a life free from persecution.
• I, and many of you, had relatives who fought for the United States against Nazis in World War II, and these relatives were on the morally correct side.
• I have seen a historically preserved Nazi death camp in Germany, and it represents the low point of humanity. Never again should we knowingly let white supremacists rise to political power.
• People should speak out against the white supremacists, including rallies, letters and public statements, but they should not use violence in their responses. The original White House statement and some later statements were not strong enough against this group.
• More efforts should be made to make sure teens and young adults find their place in society so they are not attracted to violent fringe groups.
• This is a good time to look inward and try to do away with any hate directed toward any individual or group.
To reach Mary Rupert, editor, email [email protected].