Ugly comments have no place in debate

My day started by finding several e-mails that were blatantly racist attempts to tear down President Obama. The worst of these actually included pornographic pictures that were supposed to be his mother. The really sick thing is that these people are serious, and they live in the Northwest suburbs.

That's chilling.

I've lived here 50 years, and never dreamed this could be happening so close to home. These horrible e-mails were sent to hundreds of people. The person who sent it to me knows I am an Obama supporter and seems to feel I need to be "educated."

At the end of my work day, I had the perfect bookend for this.

A group of co-workers were loudly discussing how they had "never been politically correct" and proceeded to brag about their rebellion. They went from discussing Jesse "never had a real job" Jackson, to wondering why kids can't chant 'eenie, meanie, miney mo... ' you know the rest.

Shortly after that a co-worker, who is black, left for the day. I didn't realize she was still there. I wonder if they did? I wonder if they cared, or if their conversation was deliberately intended for her to hear.

I don't know what to do, but I have to do something. I'm starting with this letter to the editor.

I may go further with a letter to my employer because this conversation was not only offensive, but it was illegal, and against company policy. Those of us that have the ability to understand that political correctness is a term used to excuse racism, and bigotry need to take a stand. If we remain quiet, we will watch as our society devolves back into hateful mockery and discrimination.

Yes, it is a real thing. It's ugly, and it's happening right here at home, not just on cable news shows.

Merri Bizjack

Palatine