“So,  yes, I know full well that you can love Israel, be critical of its current government and truly despise anti-Semitism all at the same time. What you cannot do is play fast and loose with language that cannot help but be seen as anti-Semitic (Emphasis added). I pray Omar now realizes this. At this moment, opponents of bigotry must be able to rely on each other.” (E.J. Dionne Jr., The Washington Post, 3/11/2019).

The paragraph above is frighteningly accurate. What we are again witnessing in the body politic is the careless use of words that can hurt; words that are subjectively used to target and damage. Whether they are anti-Semitic, anti-Islamic, or anti-Black, statements are made, often (but not always) ill-considered, and then purposefully misinterpreted by politicians et al, to make partisan points and label individuals as racist. At the same time, when others purposefully go negative in their characterizations, excuses are made for inexcusable behavior. For example, Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa), spouted racist rhetoric in Congress with rarely a comment in protest. Trump now calls Democrats “anti-Jewish,” describes  neo-Nazis and white nationalists as “good people,” and attacks individuals of color regularly. Criticism of this bigot’s remarks remain muted except when it’s politically advantageous to act otherwise.

Expressions of hatred have become a normal part of our culture. We remain  too often  “careless” with words that can have the most most pejorative of meanings, depending on context. This cancer of hate, in turn, continues to infect  worldwide. For example, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, already  having a problematic relationship with Palestinians and Muslims in general, has welcomed a fascist-style political party as an acceptable coalition partner. This move is now playing out in a new political debate within and amongst various American ethnic and religious groups.

For the of us whose chief goal for 2020 is to defeat Donald Trump and his band of Enablers, it is imperative that divisiveness end and we stop providing ammunition to the Republicans. Whether we are to the left of  center, centrist, or to the right, we must come together to assure that America has not lost its fundamental decency.  Hatred is not  an American trait regardless of the Republican attempt to use that insidious characteristic for political ends.