EDITORIAL — POWERFUL STAND

Duxbury Reporter
July 18 2008
MA

Duxbury –
In a way, it’s hard to believe hatred still exists in our society.

After all, slavery ended after the Civil War, more than 140 years
ago. The military was officially fully integrated in the 1940s. The
Civil Rights Act was signed in 1964. Our last two secretaries of state
have been black, and a black man is governor of this very state. Yet
another could be president of the United States as early as January,
and to get his party’s nomination, he had to beat a woman.

But hatred does exist. What is it going to take to pick that lock and
make us realize that while people have their own virtues and flaws,
they have nothing to do with race, color, ethnicity, religion or
sexual orientation?

In all likelihood, the solution will have to involve education, and
that’s where Duxbury Interfaith Council and the No Place for Hate
program in the town come in. In interfaith council co-chairman Harry
Katz says, its goal is to "provide the community with a frame for
fighting all forms of hate and bigotry, while increasing awareness
for all individuals and we want to implement a meaningful program that
aims to unite neighbors and challenge racism and bigotry of all forms."

Not that No Place for Hate hasn’t been immune to criticism, as its
parent organization, the Anti-Defamation League, has come under
scrutiny for not acting forcefully enough against the Armenian
Genocide.

However, the fight against hate is an important one, and regardless
of what organization it allies itself with, the Duxbury Interfaith
Council should be saluted for the part it is playing.