Counter hate speech

As a staunch believer in the First Amendment’s protections, I am leery of laws against “hate speech.” What to do, then, when the political speech of a sheriff candidate is hate speech against Muslims, right on the front page of the Northwest section (“Candidate wants Muslims monitored,” July 12, 2018)? The answer is easy: Speak up against the candidate’s speech! The right of others to spew words creates a duty – a moral obligation – for the rest of us to use words to counter that speech, especially when it misrepresents our community. Thank you, Spokesman-Review, for bringing us this opportunity.

Muslims do not disproportionately commit crimes, and even if they did, monitoring the entire group is obnoxious and unconstitutional. I welcome the presence of our Muslim sisters and brothers in our community, and regret the pain the candidate’s words likely caused you.

I do commend and agree with the candidate when he declares, “I am saying exactly what Trump has been saying.” Yep. Vicious, unsubstantiated prejudice underlies many words and actions of the Trump administration. Remember, especially if you believe in free speech, and especially if you are aligned with President Trump by virtue of your membership in the GOP: silence is complicity.

Monique C. Lillard

Moscow, Idaho