Only kindness, love can end 'scourge'

I am a 79-year-old grandmother and this is the first time I have voiced my view in a public forum. What is happening within the Republican Party regarding a certain new member of Congress must be addressed.

Nearly 100 years ago. an upstart in the German legislature was considered a "kook" and nothing was done to stop the rhetoric which eventually led to the rise of the National Socialist Party and the evils of Nazism. Call it what you like, but espousing theories by QAnon and others is history repeating itself. This is not denying Freedom of Speech or First Amendment rights.

As a former history teacher, I watched in total shock at what happened on Jan. 6. Our former president, who led our nation for the previous four years, used inflammatory words that were all his faithful followers needed to spur them on a quest to violate and desecrate the United States Capitol.

Throughout history, anti-Semitism rears its ugly head as a way to place blame on a single group for whatever ills are currently happening. The current pandemic only exacerbates the situation.

The previous president seemed to enjoy fanning the flames of controversy and pit people against one another.

Time out, folks. N0w is the time to embrace our differences [virtually, of course] and take stock of all the positivity in our society. We are all humans facing a global crisis. COVID-19 does not discriminate by age, sex, race, color of skin, ethnicity, creed, religion, sexual orientation or social class - so let's get our acts together and realize that only by recognizing the power of cohesiveness, inclusivity, kindness and love can we overcome this "scourge."

Sherie C. Shapiro

Elk Grove Village