September 25, 2015 — New York, New York
AJC, the global Jewish advocacy organization, views with concern any manifestation of bigotry in the current political campaign. Though AJC is nonpartisan and does not endorse or oppose candidates, two recent examples compel us to speak forcefully against expressions of bias in public discourse.
In America’s diverse democracy, robust debate over timely policy issues is expected. It is crucial, however, that these discussions take place in an atmosphere of mutual respect, without stereotyping others. People of good will must respond when public discourse is infected with demonization of particular groups. This has been AJC’s tradition, just as we would hope that others speak out when our community is the target of such attacks.
Whatever one may think is the proper policy response to the millions of undocumented people in our country, most of them are family-oriented and hard-working. Demonizing them as a group is unacceptable, as has been the case when undocumented immigrants from Mexico are referred to collectively as “killers” and “rapists,” or are accused of bringing drugs and crime to our shores.
Such hateful speech can have consequences. In one despicable incident, a Latino homeless man was brutally attacked in Boston. The alleged perpetrators told police that a prominent presidential candidate for president “was right—all these illegals need to be deported.”
In addition, remarks disparaging Americans of the Muslim faith have been divisive and hurtful. One presidential candidate cast aspersions on the notion of electing a Muslim U.S. citizen as president, while some others failed to denounce the canard that the current President is a Muslim.
As we engage on crucial issues that evoke passion and debate, it is critically important that we do so thoughtfully and respectfully, and not in ways that can only polarize and incite. We call on other communities to join us in urging all engaged in debate on these issues to uphold that principle.
