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Restraint needed in rights issues

National politics affect us all. State politics affect us if we live in West Virginia. County politics affect us if we live within that county. City politics affect us if we live within that city. To criticize, if we live outside the voting district, is to cause conflict for self-gratification.

Many Elkins natives as well as other Randolph County natives who attended schools in Elkins or attended Davis & Elkins College will remain after obtaining their degree. Others will return after obtaining advanced degrees if the climate is welcoming. Some believe involved youth and young adults make better citizens.

Not everyone who champions a minority is a member of that minority. Once upon a time in America, whites marched to abolish Jim Crow laws because they felt everyone should be equal. Once upon a time in America, men marched with women to ensure the vote and later for equal pay for women.

Now, we have a new generation willing to stand up for what it believes. As a teacher in Elkins for more than 30 years, I’ve seen the effects some students inflicted upon anyone who was different. I’ve seen the effects upon a whole school community.

We are all different, all open to discrimination and hatred by somebody. While you may not agree that everyone deserves the same civil rights; while you may not agree with the Golden Rule; while you may not agree with “Judge not lest you be judged,” at least use some respect and restraint in your language.

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