Reactions from ‘many sides’ on Charlottesville and statues

Republican ‘hypocrisy’

The Republican Party can now dispense with the dog whistles. All the mendacity and duplicity Republicans have employed over the years in their transparent attempts to conceal their contempt for minorities in this country are now superfluous. With the indefensible and utterly contemptible remarks delivered by President Donald Trump on Tuesday regarding the events in Charlottesville, the Republican Party is now undeniably the party of racist hate. The faux outrage expressed by some in the party is laughable for its hypocrisy.

Until the Republicans in power act to effect the removal of the apparent sociopath they elected and have so far supported, they have forfeited any shred of legitimacy as a viable political party. Is this how I expect Republicans to respond to this, and all the other cumulative outrages perpetrated by Trump? No. Their craven grasping for power is their only motivation and priority.

Real ‘white power’

The outrage over the events in Charlottesville and Trump’s response is certainly justified. Yet for North Carolinians, the real “white power” demonstration has been going on in the N.C. legislature since 2011 when the Republicans took charge. They have reduced African-American influence at the ballot box; severely diminished programs that provide health, education, legal, tax, unemployment and other crucial services and benefits to low-income people and people of color; and transferred millions of tax dollars and much political power to wealthy people and their advocates.

Not since the White Supremacist Coup in 1898 has there been such a raw and corrupt power grab. Like the Democrats of that era, today’s N.C. Republican Party seems to be focused on the subordination and oppression of the poor and minorities.

Synagogue speaks out

Beth El Synagogue of Durham condemns the actions of white supremacists and neo-Nazis in Charlottesville and elsewhere. As Jews, we stand together as a community not only against the overt anti-Semitism of the movement and the protest but also against all forms of discrimination and violence based on religion and race.

We stand firmly together with other religious congregations and communities that are outraged by the hate and violence of the white supremacists and neo-Nazis in Charlottesville and elsewhere.

Fire alt-right staff

Those who believe in and follow American ideals are sickened by the events in Charlottesville last weekend. The death and injuries of brave Americans at the hands of white supremacists shocked and saddened them. Many attended vigils in support of their brothers and sisters in Charlottesville and are united and determined to defeat hatred in all forms.

However, the first step that must occur is this: The White House must fire the apparent white supremacists who sit in that building. This is not negotiable. They all must go for the leadership of this country to have any further credibility. The White House must be rid of white supremacists, who have no place there.

Keep statues

As a Jew, I am especially horrified by the swastikas, Nazi salutes, chants and anti-Semitism of the alt-right. But imagine if Germany, after WWII, had erected statues honoring Hitler, Goebbels, Mengele and other architects of the Third Reich. So I can imagine how I would feel if I were black and had to walk by statues every day honoring those who enslaved, beat and slaughtered my ancestors in the name of white supremacy.

But don’t destroy the statues – let’s create a museum, like the Holocaust Museum, and tell the true story of the Civil War – and let’s build monuments to those who opposed racism, genocide and slavery. We must never forget. And shame on those who refuse to condemn these hateful actions, especially the president. We must peacefully and firmly fight against hate every day. Let’s prove that love still wins.

Pieces bring ‘balance’

Many thanks for including the insightful and incisive pieces by J. Peder Zane and Edwin Yoder. Both of them offer much needed-sanity and balance in place of the increasingly insane and unbalanced rhetoric by extremists on both sides of virtually every local and national issue.

Yoder’s conclusion is especially poignant and true when he says that “erasing signs and monuments of things we simply dislike only buys time for what we should understand” is a fool’s errand. And isn’t it time for media and law enforcement to acknowledge these “activists” on both sides as the anarchists they are?

‘Sad day’ in America

As a white Christian woman, I am appalled to hear that only one of the Evangelical Christian pastors who support this man have confronted Donald Trump by name for his disgusting comments on Tuesday. My family fought the Nazis in World War II and my husband was in the occupation forces who went to those death camps.

For President Trump to say there were good men in that hateful march in Charlottsville is beyond belief. All it takes is for a few good people to do nothing for evil to flourish. It is a sad day in my country that I love.

‘Attempt discussion’ first

I am appalled at the rhetoric and actions in Charlottesville and Durham. I completely reject the Nazi ideology, as well as the ideology of the Workers World Party that took down the Durham statue. I love my country, warts and all, and expect people to have honest discourse on issues that we disagree with. I hold strong conservative views but am willing to listen to opposing positions without the use of clubs or intimidation.

For those who are not aware of the Workers World Party, it is a Communist group founded in 1959, that supports North Korea and all Communist beliefs. Please attempt thoughtfulness and discussion, before engaging in hateful rhetoric and actions.

This story was originally published August 19, 2017 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Reactions from ‘many sides’ on Charlottesville and statues."