To the Editor:

I am appalled by what I see on the news and in the papers. Now is the time for us to stand firm against the ideology of white supremacy, and all the racism, anti-semitism and misogyny that it entails.

I am heartened by the amazing human response in both Houston, Texas and in Florida, and we need to continue to reach out to one another.

My grandfather fought in World War II against white supremacy. In the subsequent years, many things have changed in our country, such as the civil rights movement, and yet many social ills have remained the same.

This is not who we are. This is not what our country was founded on. This is not who we strive to be. In our democracy, all men (and women) are created equal. We are a nation of immigrants – yearning for more for our families and children. Pitting us, one against another, because of religion, race or political party is not the solution.

We have much more in common than our political and religious leaders would have us believe and we must hold each other accountable for our behavior. We have a moral imperative as citizens and humans to treat each other well, to listen with an open mind and solve issues with each other in mind.

Now, again, is the time for us to stand firm against the ideology of white supremacy and all the racism, anti-Semitism and misogyny that it entails. To sit silently while these events happen is not who we are.

Be a better human.

Laura Mullen

Brunswick