Letters: No room for prejudice in a democracy

ISSUE | PREJUDICE

Respect, not hatred

Racist and anti-Semitic comments were evidently made to disrupt a community meeting hosted by South Philadelphia HOMES ("Meeting ends after anti-Jewish comments," Wednesday). We are saddened to see that our progress as a society in racial, ethnic, and religious tolerance has been so limited since the 1930s.

Expressing disagreement with the ideas and thoughts of others is essential in a democratic society. We always have, and it is hoped always will, defend this basic right. However, for a meaningful discourse to be conducted, it must be civil. A person's race, religion, or ethnic background should have no bearing on the value of his or her ideas.

We are pleased that The Inquirer reported on disruptive and mean-spirited conduct. And we appreciate Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, who said an anti-Semitic comment was "totally inappropriate and will not be tolerated," and reported the incident to the Philadelphia Human Relations Commission.

Those who try to improve our community should not be stymied by hatred and prejudice.

|Sayde J. Ladov, president, Louis D. Brandeis Law Society Foundation, and Judge A. Michael Snyder, chancellor, Louis D. Brandeis Law Society, Philadelphia, sladov@dolchin.com, msnyder@adrdri.com

Not separatist

The Israelite School of Universal Practical Knowledge (ISUPK) is not a black separatist group, nor are we anything like the Ku Klux Klan ("More hate groups in Pa., report finds," Feb. 21). Blacks are the original biblical Hebrews, but so are the West Indians, Hispanics, and Native Americans The real separatist is white America.

We didn't engage in 400 years of slavery and racism. And we did not engage in the killings and lynchings conducted by the Klan. When white Jews say they are the chosen people, no one argues against it. When the ISUPK says it, we are a racist separatist group.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani recently said, "What we should be doing . . . is build up respect for police officers and focus on the fact that when something does go wrong, OK, we'll work on that." What hypocrisy and racism.

The ISUPK is growing because of the oppression of blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans.

|Commanding Gen. Yahanna Israel, ISUPK, Upper Darby, correspondance@isupk.org