Disagreement isn’t hatred

S. Smith Warner’s letter of July 14, is interesting. The individual asked why it’s wrong to ask if someone is a citizen of this country on the census form. Well, unless S. Smith Warner’s ancestors were native Americans, they weren’t asked if they were American citizens on the census. And let’s get real, not every white European that came to this country was here legally. However, that was when America needed immigrants to do the tough jobs. Much like today, if you think about it. But that is another discussion altogether.

As for the individual who was frightened by the police at Starbucks, it could’ve been a person who has been harassed by police due to their color. Or, it could have been someone was being snarky. We don’t know.

Not every person in America enjoys learning the methods used to “found” this country. There were a lot of people killed, exiled and disenfranchised to accomplish that task. Perhaps that is why not everyone says hooray to Nike shoes celebrating the “founding” of America.

And I grew up in an era where textbook history was very sanitized. With that said, I now know that a lot of blood was spilled and backs were whipped to found America.

It appears to me that S. Smith Warner is a staunch waver of the American flag. That is his or her right.

Please do not think that I hate my country. However, one side of my family only arrived here 100 years ago. I knew the people that sailed here for a better life. I am not an amnesiac who prefers to think that because I’m white, I have some claim to dictating how other people celebrate America.

I do not support violent protests by Antifa. I do understand their dislike of the KKK. Violent protests rarely accomplish the goals outlined by the groups involved.

Not everyone’s world view aligns with S. Smith Warner’s. That does not mean the world is askew, or that others hate America.

M. M. Pescaia

Spokane