Race in the 2008 Election

The racial hatred being promoted by Sarah Palin and the McCain campaign deserves comment.  I have experienced this type of hatred on a very personal level.  I am the youngest daughter of Viola Gregg Liuzzo, who was murdered by the KKK AND a paid FBI informant on March 25th, 1965 while participating in the Selma to Montgomery voting rights march.

I find it appalling that someone who wants to lead our country would lower themselves to incite racial violence in an attempt to win a political campaign.  Racism has been an ugly and shameful part of our country's history.  We need to work together to heal the wounds racism has caused--not bring us backwards in our fight.

I also find it appalling that people in the McCain campaign are spreading rumors insinuating Barack Obama is of Arab decent, as if that in itself is a crime.  Being from Detroit Michigan, I grew up in an area with a huge Arabic population.  The Arab Americans that I have had contact with are decent people who love this country.  They were devastated by the events of 09-11-2001 as proud Arab Americans.  It is not right to condemn an entire group of people due to the actions of a few. 

Let us promote positive race relations instead of hate speech, especially in a presidential campaign.