May 25, 2020 — Philadelphia
This piece originally appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
As we navigate through COVID19, we must be aware that hate grows in times of plague and economic downturn. Hatred is dangerous, polarizes and unacceptable. Targeting Asians, Native Americans, Muslims, Chinese and Jews leads to conspiracy theories and extremism.
Infusing of Nazi imagery by protesters opposed to state governments’ restrictions to halt the coronavirus is insidious. In Harrisburg, one representative likened Governor Tom Wolf’s administration to a Nazi regime. An Alaskan legislator opposed safety measures when entering buildings and drew the parallel to labeling Jews in Nazi Germany. In Philadelphia, Swastikas were painted on the Red Cross building.
Post-COVID19, we must emerge stronger and not blame others. Comments can be nuanced or blatant, and the American Jewish Committee, of which I am director of the Philadelphia-South Jersey region, has a resource called Translating Hate, available at www.ajc.org/translatehate, which defines when comments cross the line and become antisemitic.
Let's be able to identify hatred, speak out or take action and defy polarization.
Marcia Bronstein, Philadelphia
