My Bravo

From the Journal Gazette

Anti-foreigner attitude is bigotry

I’m troubled by the letter “Foreign people are inconsiderate” (May 26). I’ve encountered rude people all my life – just as every other human being has – but rude people are Americans and non-Americans, they are every gender, race, age, religion and political affiliation. I’ve also encountered many “foreigners” who have been far kinder and more respectful to me than some American-born citizens.

This attitude toward “foreigners” is nothing short of bigotry. I understand the letter writer experienced rude behavior – I don’t dispute that – but for her to proclaim that foreigners aren’t welcome because of this incident is simply not fair.

I’m wondering what she hoped to gain by this letter – to perpetuate hate and negative stereotypes? What if a woman named Helen was rude to me and I took the belief that all women named Helen are not welcome in our country? Perhaps if she would have been more diplomatic in the situation instead of asking them to “shut up,” she would have had different results.

SUSAN FORD Fort Wayne