
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 21, 1991                   TAG: 9103210456
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

PREJUDICE MASKED AS PATRIOTISM

I AM INCREASINGLY upset at the treatment of Arab-Americans and peace activists. President Bush has described Saddam Hussein as a Hitler, but when we allow our "patriotism" to take the form of intolerance of the rights, beliefs and customs of others, we too are guilty of Hitlerism.

Hitler's goal was to create a supernation where all would be of the same stock. When we expect all "good" Americans (and even foreign visitors) to look and act the same, aren't we accepting Hitler's philosophy? Ostracize, attack; kill those who are different in thoughts, looks, actions, who don't fly the flag, who don't seem excited by war.

This is not patriotism; this is that other "p" word - prejudice - wearing a convenient disguise. JAN DOWLING ROANOKE

by CNB