'Hate' is the intolerance of others' values

I read an opinion letter of Mayor Shelby Rognstad. I noticed his frequent use the word “hate” and “hate groups” whose “toxic attitudes,” he states, have invaded our community. Unfortunately, I think he’s right.

In 32 years living in Idaho, I have not heard the mayor’s kind of rhetoric until more recently, when a mass exodus to North Idaho started. I do not know or have not known of anyone in my community who belongs to the groups he mentions nor anyone who expresses hate for anyone. That he did not provide evidence to support his accusations, gives me nothing to examine therefore it stands as an assumption.

“Hate” is the resistance to and intolerance of another’s values, beliefs and concepts that don’t agree with our own. Mayor Rognstad states North Idaho “fosters racism” showing intolerance towards those who do not think the way he thinks they should, which shows that intolerance is often disguised as tolerance. Accusing an entire region of people he does not know of “racism” only shows that he is telling a lie about us to us.

While I have no affiliation with any political group, I have observed that the word “hate” is being used frequently by those who have aligned themselves as Democrats, unaware that when they point an accusing finger at another, the other three point back to self, describing their own behavior as that which they accuse in others.

Their obsession of employing the control tactic, name calling, defines others they don’t know as “racists,” “white supremacists” and “Neo-Nazi” (whatever that is) for not having the same beliefs that they do. This seems to be an effort to distract attention away from themselves while they diminishing others who are not conforming to their particular beliefs, as if only their beliefs are entitled to be right.

The mayor also states that we should “aspire toward a more just and equitable society.” I agree and support equality wholeheartedly. To begin your aspiration towards a “just” and “equitable” society, stop name calling and the labeling of people who may have a different perception than your own.

Equality is the understanding that everyone is entitled to their reality and if you truly seek equality, then calling people names such as “racist” or “hateful” shows hypocrisy and a need to examine the beliefs that cause you to be hateful of others who may be different than yourself.

Name calling is verbal abuse and at its core is a superiority complex seeking to gain power over others, which is clearly the opposite of acceptance and love — that which name callers do not tolerate.

VICKEY BABAYCO

Sagle