The “uneducated white male’’ — how did this become a derogatory phase? Since the election, I have been reading in various media how the tide was turned by uneducated white males voting for Donald Trump. Supporters of Hillary Clinton who have used this phrase have now put their own definition to it. They suggest that being an uneducated white male means you are a homophobe, racist, and misogynist and must be a member of the KKK.

Let me tell you who the uneducated white male is. He was my father, my grandfather, many of my uncles, and my neighbors who I grew up with. They were war veterans — heroes like my dad, who got shot twice in the Korean War. These were men who did not have a college education — some, not even a high school diploma — who worked hard their entire lives.

They worked two jobs, bought a car, then a house, raised a family, paid taxes, and voted in every election. They watched the news and read the daily newspaper. They belonged to social organizations that contributed to charity. They went to church every week. They had their beliefs and opinions, but listened to everyone else’s. They were men of integrity and incredibly brave. Some owned their own businesses; other were members of a union. They loved their country and were thankful for the opportunities that it gave them. If they were lucky, they got to enjoy a comfortable, though not an extravagant, retirement.

Those are the uneducated white males in my life, and I am very proud of them.

Keith Dinsmoor

Braintree