The number of racist attacks reported in the news is quite shocking, but what is even more outrageous is the attribution of the causes to the election of Donald Trump.
Isn’t it time that the left-leaners begin to face the fact that racist attacks have been going on from time immemorial.
This is not a new phenomenon at all.
Headlines such as “Racist, Trump-inspired graffiti under investigation in Mineola” and “Attack on NHP woman prompts outrage” are completely misdirected.
Although the events are factual and despicable, the association of any of these events with Donald Trump is absurd.
For over 70 years I have witnessed the horrors of discrimination, sometimes as its victim.
I grew up during the latter part of the 1940s and had my first taste of hate in the 1950s.
As an American Jew, my existence was challenged by those of short intelligence who echoed the slurs of the Nazis.
There were ample occurrences of this hatemongering in my life, but I learned pride in my heritage and who I am.
I learned those wise words, “Sticks and stones…” by which I understood what was important, and didn’t succumb to the messages of hate and misunderstanding.
Remember the values and judgment so beautifully espoused by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. regarding how a man should be judged by the content of his character, not the color of his skin or his religious beliefs.
This set of values is what is important, not the race or religion of another.
What is most alarming is that those who develop the headlines for stories choose to influence a reader’s thoughts with distortions and innuendo, and this should not be.
If an editor chooses to pen his thoughts or feelings, this is the freedom granted by the first amendment, and it does not necessarily reflect fact, only opinion. However, when what is supposed to be a report of facts regarding an event or incident is composed for publication, opinion and spin should not be included, else it is a dishonest way to report.
Hate has been around for a long time, and a presidential election is no excuse to either persecute or vilify.
It’s time for everyone to grow up and move forward.
Eric Spinner
New Hyde Park
Reader’s Write: Incidents of racism very overblown
