Hate won’t stop by itself

I’ve taught my students and my own children to love and respect everyone regardless of one’s background; laughter and tears are the same everywhere. These divisive times, when our president-elect aims to represent all Americans because all lives matter, yet hate crimes have increased since his election, many in public or in our K-university schools, will continue beyond this traditional “season of love and peace” if each of us does not speak up whenever and wherever we notice hate.

As a German pastor famously wrote, “First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out – Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Hate affects us all and won’t stop by itself, so let us model for our children a new “business as usual” by having good relationships with neighbors, regardless of differences, speaking up against hate and asking our legislators, whatever your issue, and through them our president-elect, to speak against hate with their actions rather than allow it with their inactions.

Judy Silverstein

Spokane