Planting the seeds of anti-hate

To the editor:

(re: “Forum enlists youth to fight against hate,” Oct. 26)

I was dismayed and disappointed with the subtitle and tenor of your article, which indicated Sen. Jeffrey Klein or any of the elected officials in Riverdale are hastily working toward the goals of diversity, education and acceptance.

On the evening of Oct. 15, I was one of the members invited by Sen. Klein (with two weeks’ notice) to be part of the forum, which included community, clergy, elected officials and school leaders against hate that was spurred by the anti-Semitic graffiti incident at a private residence in Fieldston.

I am the director of the Holocaust, Genocide and Interfaith Education Center at Manhattan College, and I have worked with Sen. Klein on issues of hate, creating diversity and educating the young. Sen. Klein has supported the center and these issues by attending our annual Kristallnacht Lecture, interfaith solidarity gatherings, and the many peace rallies held over the years in Riverdale by the interfaith Riverdale clergy and Manhattan College students and faculty.

I am dismayed at the integrity of the press in the way the story was reported with words like “hastily” and “sparse.” I am sad to see that a deep and profound act of humanity is criticized in this climate, and that the purpose of the forum was thwarted by the choice of poor words used by the press.

Are we not here to educate our children and create forums for the youth? As a seasoned teacher, I believe that quality versus quantity is important. Remember that a tiny healthy seed that is sown can grow into beautiful pastures.

Mehnaz Afridi