It offends me when I have to give up prayer in school. Once again because it might upset Hadji Hindu or Buddy Buddha. ... When I look around I see no Mosque, or fat, bald guys with bowls in their laps. I see churches. I\'m offended when I turn on a television show and without fail a queer is in the plot just like it\'s a natural thing.\"
I was shocked, disgusted and disheartened upon reading this excerpt, printed by the Associated Press, of an Oct. 27 letter to the editor of The Reporter-Times in Martinsville. \nThe letter, written by Martinsville Assistant Police Chief Dennis E. Nail, shows clear racism, homophobia and ignorance. These sentiments coming from anyone are disappointing -- and are absolutely inappropriate coming from a public official. Despite his comments, Nail laughably swears in the article that he is not a racist and, as a police officer, treats everyone the same. \nMore disturbing though, is the community support that the letter received. According to an article published in The Bloomington Herald Times, at a Martinsville City Council meeting Monday, Nail's message was defended and even applauded by the dozens of residents in attendance. Mayor Shannon Buskirk and Police Chief Frans Hollanders also said they see no reason to reprimand Nail for his comments, or for Nail to to make any sort of apology. \n Pastor James Brown of the Union Christian Church in Paragon, a town near Martinsville, said at the meeting that Nail spoke for the nation\'s heritage. \n \"This nation was founded not on Islam, nor on immoral people, but on the word of God,\" The Herald Times quoted Brown as saying as he stood holding up his Bible and warning the council that to censure Nail would would bring \"the wrath of God\" upon Martinsville.\nClearly Pastor Brown is not familiar with the subject on which he speaks. The muslim word "Allah" means "God." I hardly believe that God would bring his "wrath" upon Martinsville for censuring Nail for verbally attacking another group of His followers. \nOne of the many residents that spoke in support of Nail made the suggestion that \"all homosexuals and their sympathizers should be put on a boat and sunk.\" Ah yes, yet another extremist right-wing Christian spreading Jesus' message of love and acceptance. As a person who has many dear friends and a family member who happen to be homosexual -- and as a Christian -- I am saddened by the hatred reflected in the statement. \nIt only heightened my concerns to read that Nail also has a great deal of interaction with the Martinsville school system through drug prevention and other programs. What message is he sending to the youth of his community? Nail's own daughter may give us an idea. The article reported that Sharisse Nail rose after her father had spoken to say what happened to America on Sept. 11 was not an accident. "Open your eyes, America,\" she said. \"This wasn\'t a surprise. It was coming our way. Abortion. Queers.\"\nWhat?! If Nail's daughter has as narrow a view of the world as the Rev. Jerry Falwell -- and he encourages that type of thought -- I cringe to think what lessons he is imparting to the youth of his community. \nIn Nail's defense, at the meeting it was reported that he asked those in attendance not to take any retribution on those who spoke out against him. He also acknowledged that they had as much of a right to speak as he did, and that everyone was entitled to their own opinion. \nI am a strong proponent of the freedom of speech, but the fact remains that Nail is a public figure and a role model for youth through his involvement with the Martinsville school system. His actions, and the actions of the others in attendance Monday who supported him, only show the next generation that it's okay to hate.
