Alfonse D'Amato

Newsday's double standard is shocking

Posted

In April 2014, two students at St. Anthony’s High School, in South Huntington, brought a Confederate flag to a sporting event. They were subsequently expelled.

Later that month, Newsday published an editorial titled, “Deep Hatred Embodied in the Confederate Flag,” which stated that individuals should not display the flag because it embodied “deep hatred” and eroded “respect and common decency in society.”

Just one year later, Newsday seems to have changed its attitude on symbols of hate in our society. In a move that can only be described as politically motivated, the newspaper published an editorial entitled, “Kate Murray’s Dangerous Attack on Freedom of Speech.” It called Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray’s request to strengthen a law that protects citizens from the pain and humiliation of witnessing something as repulsive as a swastika a “dangerous and improper attack on free speech.”

Talk about a double standard!

Now, even loyal Newsday readers may not have seen this editorial. Newsday wasn’t bold enough to actually publish it in the paper; it only made the online edition.

Let’s talk about swastikas on Long Island. To the surprise of many beachgoers last summer and into this season, a nonprofit organization called Proswastika.org flew banners displaying swastikas, via airplane, over our South Shore beaches.

Just last week, the group did it as part of a “Swastika Rehabilitation Week,” claiming that the swastika was a historically peaceful sign that was soiled by the Nazis. Now the group would like to rehabilitate the image.

Can you ever rehabilitate a symbol as powerful and divisive as the swastika? Or, for that matter, the Confederate flag?

We can be thankful that our local leaders put a quick end to this garbage. Within hours of beachgoers’ witnessing the awful sight, Murray and Councilman Anthony Santino began a series of meetings with local religious leaders and concerned citizens.

The two leaders have already called on the New York State Legislature to strengthen the laws that prohibit the display of hate speech in public places, including beaches, parks and government offices and buildings.

Page 1 / 2