Our Views: Fight against intolerance

The Island Now

We are thankful for the forceful response of residents and elected officials to the bomb threat called into the Mid-Island Y JCC in Planview — one of dozens of threats made around the country to Jewish community centers and the second in Nassau County.

Sen. Chuck Schumer announced that he’s asking the Federal Communications Commission chairman to grant a waiver for tracing the phone calls made to facilities that have been targeted.

Nassau County police announced that they were increasing their patrols at Jewish institutions throughout the county in response.

And Gov. Andrew Cuomo established a $25 million grant program that aims to “boost safety and security at New York’s schools and day care centers at risk of hate crimes or attacks because of their ideology, beliefs or mission.”

The community also responded.

A vigil at the Plainview community center following the bomb threat drew about 400. Nassau County Legislator Arnold Drucker said it was attended “not only by Jews but people of all faiths, races and religious orientations.”

Among them was Habeeb Ahmed, president-elect of the Islamic Center of Long Island.

Ahmed’s attendance was fitting.

Like Jews, Muslims have witnessed a rise in hate crimes and intolerance in recent months.

In the case of Muslim places of worship, the hate crimes in other places around the country have included actual violence rather than just threats.

Though the steps taken by elected officials and community support in New York have been heartening, they are not enough to prevent future acts of intolerance and the threat of actual violence.

That requires asking the question why.

Why at this time in our nation’s history are we  witnessing an increase in hate crimes against Jews and other groups?

While Americans have a national pride in being a melting pot we also know that racial bigotry and religious intolerance have been part of this nation’s history since its founding.

At one time or another every group of newcomers to this country has faced prejudice and intolerance — including Irish, Germans, Italians and Catholics, as well as Jews, Muslims and Hispanics. With the history of slavery, black people occupy a category of their own for prejudice and oppression.

So if prejudice and intolerance are nothing new, why the increase in 2017?

The answer is as uncomfortable to some as it is obvious to others.

Donald Trump ran a campaign for president that blamed others for America’s problems.

Trump rose to prominence by calling into question the legitimacy and birthplace of America’s first black president. He kicked off his campaign by calling undocumented Mexicans criminals and rapists.

He blamed all Muslims as a group for the acts of a very few, calling at one point for a ban against all Muslims entering the country. Now, he has twice signed bans against six predominantly Muslim countries that many say is nothing more than a Muslim ban that will pass judicial review.

His final campaign ad, done in grainy, black-and-white horror-movie style, talked about international global bankers conspiring to undermine our country and featured photos of businessman George Soros, Federal Reserve Chairman Janet Yellin and Goldman Sachs President Lloyd Blankfein. All are Jewish.

We are not saying that Trump himself is anti-Semitic or racist. Just that he is willing to appeal to those who are.

This is also not to say that all or most Trump supporters are racists or anti-Semites.

People who voted for Trump did so for many reasons, shared in some cases with Bernie Sanders Democrats and even former Obama supporters. But the connections between Trump and the recent rise of hate crimes and intolerance seems clear.

It is tempting to say that Trump supporters have a special obligation to condemn statements made by Trump that are seen as racist or anti-Semitic — as people have said Muslims have a special obligation to condemn acts of terrorism committed by Muslims.

But we know that is a false argument and knee-jerk response to attributing the motivation of people committing hate crimes are sometimes wrong.

Rather, in this age of Trump, it is up to all of us to respond to all racist, anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim statements or acts – no matter who makes them – whenever they are made.

This is not as easy as it sounds.

Condemning bomb threats from a troubled person or persons is easy.

But what about travel bans proposed by the President of the United States against six predominantly Muslim nations with no history of attacks on this country?

This involves politically fraught discussions that may mean criticizing Trump when many people agree with him.

This is often not easy, but it is necessary if we are truly serious about combatting intolerance.

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