close

LETTER A message that is still needed

2 min read
article image -

In 1989, in reaction to Ku Klux Klan activity in Washington County, a group of citizens and ministers organized an open religious service called “Witness for America.” It was a powerful moment with a great, interracial, interfaith choir. Many people wanted to continue meeting, so the Committee for Racial Equality was formed. The group met monthly for 15 years, mainly just to talk about being black or white. We also held a yearly “Witness for America” service.

In several of the bulletins for the service, and once in an Observer-Reporter advertisement, we printed the poem “This is the Land Where Hate Should Die” by Denis McCarthy. Its message is still needed:

This is the land where hate should die –

No feuds of faith, no spleen of race,

No darkly brooding fear should try

Beneath our flag to find a place.

Lo! every people here has sent

Its sons to answer freedom’s call;

Their lifeblood is the strong cement

That builds and binds the nation’s wall.

This is the land where hate should die –

Though dear to me my faith and shrine,

I serve my country well when I

Respect beliefs that are not mine.

He little loves his land who’d cast

Upon his neighbor’s word a doubt,

Or cite the wrongs of ages past

From present rights to bar him out.

This is the land where hate should die –

This is the land where strife should cease,

Where foul, suspicious fear should fly

Before our flag of light and peace.

Then let us purge from poisoned thought

That service to the state we give,

And so be worthy as we ought

Of this great land in which we live!

Gerard H. Weiss

Washington

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $3.75/week.

Subscribe Today