In her Sept. 30 letter, “Hate crimes make us as bad as the enemy” Elizabeth Marshall, M.D. wrote of the mistreatment of Iraqi immigrants in the United States such as the Iraqi mother who was spit upon every time she tried to leave her house.
I believe, along with most other Americans, that no one, regardless of color, creed, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or political affiliation should suffer harassment, humiliation, physical injury or damage to their property. That being said however, I question the legitimacy of the latest outcry about victimization of the Middle Eastern communities in the United States. Perhaps by focusing so much attention of the potential for and rare occurrence of “hate crimes” against people of Middle Eastern descent we are causing people to believe that this has become a common problem.
The tone of the letter as well as the headline, “Hate crimes make us as bad as the enemy,” is outrageous and insulting to the vast overwhelming majority of Americans who would never think of mistreating anyone in this great country. Just as the Muslim community does not want to be held responsible for the despicable acts of terrorism committed by a small segment of their population, neither do I want to be preached to or chastised because a miniscule number of Americans have mistreated Muslims. Furthermore how can anyone compare being spit upon or not receiving medical care to the death and destruction brought upon our country on Sept. 11?
I agree that there must be understanding and level headedness as we mourn the thousands who died or were injured and the tens of thousands who have lost family members or friends in the attack. But let us not confuse understanding with the creation of a new class of victims.
Everett
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