Yama Ploskonka: Toleration of discrimination will only make Franklin weak

To The Daily Sun,

On Saturday, Daniel Webster Way, a meet-the-candidates event in Franklin focused strongly on school funding, because throwing good money after bad must work, right? 

City council candidates were asked about state funds given to families for educational options. To my utter surprise, one asserted that, while this was, perhaps, acceptable, those funds should not be allowed for religious schools. Repeated it.

Thus, I shouted, “Discrimination,” and then, “Shame,” shocking organizers and spectators.

Interestingly, at another moment, a candidate made an inconsiderate remark about an opponent. Instantly, the entire audience gasped.

This completely baffles me. Reacting to rudeness, but otherwise tolerating discrimination? A generation inured to its evil? Didn’t we all Have A Dream? Did we mean it, when we sang “We Shall Overcome?” Am I from another planet?

To be perfectly clear: a candidate who professes discrimination is not fit for office, not now, not ever. Private citizens might hold such opinions, but from our elected officials we must expect and demand a fair shake for everyone. Money given to parents should be used, at their discretion, within reasonable parameters set by law. Even members of our own rubber-stamp school board and city council send their children to Bishop Bradley — and why shouldn’t they? Now a candidate says state funds shouldn't be allowed for that purpose. This is discrimination. Shame.

To those far right who value strength: discrimination makes us weak. Disease from within, destroying our unity.

To those far left who say they champion compassion and civil rights: what is wrong with them today? Why support a candidate proclaiming discrimination? It strikes me as tragically ironic that supporters of "choice" OK killing babies, yet vehemently oppose school vouchers.

And to the sane among us, I say: we are not done yet. Discrimination is still active. We have work to do.

Yama Ploskonka

Franklin