What makes American democracy shine is not the absence of hate but the response. Repugnant ideas have always swirled in this country amid the legitimate: Racism, anti-Semitism and crackpot nationalism exist. Such ugliness is not outlawed. It is protected by the Constitution. It also is marginalized and rejected by the nation at large because discriminatory ideologies are empty of worth. Most everyone can see that.
And yet there was the disgraceful spectacle in Charlottesville, Va., over the weekend: A ragtag group of hatemongers--neo-Nazis, Klan members and other rightists among them--showed up to strut their vapid values. They came to make noise and make asses of themselves while ostensibly protesting the planned removal of a Confederate statue. Counter-protesters were on the scene to meet speech with speech. Here was democracy in action. It was certain to be a tense scene but still, this was our country for the better because even Nazis have the right to march. As do those who think Nazis are vile.
The loss of life and the many injuries are tragic and regrettable. Violence is not an acceptable price to pay for expression. The First Amendment guarantees the right to peaceable assembly, and so the violence shouldn't have happened in Charlottesville. Anyone who was responsible, on either side, committed a wrong.
America does have a problem with racism, with anti-Semitism, and with many other forms of bigotry and intolerance. That's no secret. The question Americans must confront every day is how will they respond.
Editorial on 08/15/2017