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Letters to the Editor

If haters gonna hate, teach them to do it nonviolently

In this April 23, 2016 photo, members of the Ku Klux Klan participate in a “white pride” rally in Rome, Ga. Klan leaders say they feel that U.S. politics are going their way, as a nationalist, us-against-them mentality deepens across the nation.
In this April 23, 2016 photo, members of the Ku Klux Klan participate in a “white pride” rally in Rome, Ga. Klan leaders say they feel that U.S. politics are going their way, as a nationalist, us-against-them mentality deepens across the nation. John Bazemore Associated Press

How can we stop these seemingly endless killings?

It is unlikely politicians will be willing to reduce the number of weapons in the hands of the American people.

It is really impossible to take the hate out of the heads and hearts of haters.

Somehow, we need to convince haters that they have every right to express their feelings in nonthreatening, nonviolent ways. They are not likely to stop hating. They need to stop acting on that hate.

Haters, if you don’t or can’t accept your fellow human beings for who they are, just walk away muttering: “Wow, I hate that person (or those people). I am glad I have my freedom to just walk away.”

Ron Gottesman, Arroyo Grande

This story was originally published June 30, 2016 at 8:36 PM with the headline "If haters gonna hate, teach them to do it nonviolently."

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