Berks GOP and white Supremacists: Letter to the Editor

My Letter to the Editor in response to the local Republican Party’s response to calls to stop the hate and bigotry:

Recently the Berks County Republican Party was called out by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for its Facebook posts featuring white supremacist symbols and its hyperbole in comparing Governor Wolfe to the Nazis. The ADL stated ”holocaust analogies should only be used when referring to actual genocides.” (Reading Eagle, May 16)

Rather than apologizing and taking down the posts, Berks County Republican Chairman Clay Breece  denied and deflected. He denied that the meme featured a dog whistle used by white supremacists, as he feigned ignorance of its usage even though it has been the center of several national incidents. He deflected the criticism of the ADL, calling it “ridiculous”, as if the organization that has been fighting hate, bigotry, and anti-Semitism for over a century could not recognize it when it rears its head.

Almost equally appalling was the Eagle’s headline which featured the words “….some criticized as anti-Semitic”. There is no doubt that the OK sign is flashed as the neo-Nazis march and chant “Jews will not replace us”. There should be no doubt that when the ADL calls for action that the case has been examined by experts and found to be troubling. This “some say” is similar to “good people on both sides” codespeak and should be discarded.

The Reading Eagle needs to denounce this activity. The Berks Republicans needs to police itself, starting with its Facebook page and asking for the resignation of its chairperson.