As a registered Democrat for more than 55 years, a Jew, and an American citizen who strongly believes that all Americans regardless of gender, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, etc. should be treated with dignity and respect, I was pleased to read Laurie Kellman's article (“Rep. Ilhan Omar apologizes after tweets about pro-Israel lobbyists drew calls of anti-Semitism,” Feb. 11). It is critical to our freedoms and democracy that our leaders and the media call out bias and discrimination wherever it occurs, especially when it occurs by our political leaders.
The media and our elected officials have done an excellent job calling out discrimination against Jews, blacks, Hispanics, Muslims, etc. by white bigots. And, where President Donald Trump was perceived by Democrats and various ethnic and religious groups as not adequately calling out white bigots, they raised their concern that he did not clearly single out white hate groups.
This is all well and good. However, as a Jew (and I am not alone in my concerns) it appears that the media and our elected officials (including Democrats) are unwilling to show the same degree of condemnation against an anti-Semite who is Muslim and black, such as Louis Farrakhan. It is particularly disturbing that some black as well as white national politicians have had pictures taken with Mr. Farrakhan. And, I ask why? The only possible reasons I can see for such bias in who is criticized for being anti-Semitic is that these people are anti-Semitic, want to have the support of Mr. Farrakhan, and/or are afraid that if they call out Mr. Farrakhan, they will be labeled as anti-Black or anti-Muslim.
It is critical to our values and freedoms that we call out all those who are biased, regardless of who they are and who they hate. It is a slippery slope to decide who may be called a bigot and who is worthy of being protected from bias and discrimination.
Martin Schugam, Owings Mills