Race, class, fear blind us to facts

Regarding the Thursday editorial, “Time to mind the facts, not fear”: I immediately reflected on the national perceptions of terrorism in the U.S. and the Ebola virus. According to an article in the Louisiana Weekly, white supremacists groups in the U.S. have killed more local law enforcement officers over a five-year period than so-called Islamic terrorists.

According to a letter published in The Herald, President Obama is the worst president in history of the U.S. because he would not stop airline flights into the U.S. from West Africa in response to the Ebola virus. The president cautioned us to take a deep breath and count to 10 and reminded his fellow Americans that the flu virus poses a greater threat of death to Americans than the Ebola virus.

It is my understanding that there has been one confirmed death in the U.S. from the Ebola virus, and a few other people who are being treated and/or quarantined because of their close contact with the virus.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, many of our perceptions as American citizens are based upon race, class and fear. It is not surprising that the U.S. is second only to Italy in a pollster’s index of ignorance about the realities of modern life. In the year 2014, we are neither a color blind, nor classless society. Until we invest the time to research and educate ourselves on the facts, and not acquiesce to our prejudices and fears, we will continue to significantly overestimate the U.S. immigrant population; greatly exaggerate the threat of Middle Eastern terrorism, and be consumed and clueless about the threat of the Ebola virus. According to the article, we are underestimating the real risks we face, including death by auto accidents, homicide/suicide, drug overdoes, or in my opinion, a random killing spree by a student at a local high school or college.

Faheem Siddiq

Everett