Take bigotry far away from here

To the editor:

(re: “No room for homeless, migrants,” June 29)

I am so disgusted with Mitch Kaufman that I don’t know where to begin.

So let me start with a forthright statement: I see little to no difference between Mr. Kaufman’s bigotry and that of Mayor Eric Adams. Sadly, the hatred and resentment coursing through our public discussion weakens and belittles all of us. Loudmouth bigots, of course, are not at all aware of this.

Recently at a forum on the Upper West Side, Adams said, “I’m the mayor of this city, and treat me with the respect that I deserve to be treated.”

Then he went a step further, comparing a woman, who is white, to a slave owner: “Don’t stand in front like you’re treating someone that’s on the plantation that you own.”

Was this offensive talk — this bigotry — really necessary, Mr. Mayor? Have you no shame?

The woman in question comes from a Jewish family, which fled Nazi Germany. Insensitive would be an understatement. That the mayor has yet to apologize (as of the writing of this letter) reflects the fact that he appears to feel entitled to insult his constituents, with racist remarks no less.

And you, Mr. Kaufman, with your evidence and virtually fact-free tirade in this great newspaper: shame on you.

Yet you feel free to insult and impugn people fleeing for their safety, and that of their families and loved ones. You disparage them all the while not knowing what they have been through, assuming the worst of them. 

The word in Yiddish, Mr. Kaufman, is “rachmones” — compassion. Sadly, you have none. In a simple business transaction, Manhattan College demonstrated more “rachmones,” more concern for our community, than you could ever possibly conjure up, unintentionally.

Furthermore, pray tell sir, other than the typical NIMBY retort, where should these people be housed? If they are as dangerous as you say, I would surmise we should turn them away as they land here in America, just like German Jews fleeing Hitler were turned away.

After all, “the other” — no matter who they are — are different from us, right? Language, skin color, religion, they ain’t us, so in your way of thinking, there’s no room for them here. Besides they’re all rapists, as the 45th President said, aren’t they?

You and the mayor both need to leave this city forthwith. There is no place for bigots like the both of you here in our “gorgeous mosaic,” as the late Honorable Mayor David Dinkins would say. We’d be better off with the both of you living elsewhere.

Adam Stoler