Letter to the Editor: Actions Speak Louder than Labels

I’ve been insulted in my life, but this continual “white supremacist” accusation from many directions – but not from people who know me – is getting pretty old. And I’m sure it is getting old to many others. 

I feel lucky to not live in Washington, D.C., or New York, where all these vile accusations aimed at groups of people seem to originate. I know I am lucky to live in Door County, with Midwest values, where a sense of decency and “Love your neighbor” overrides group accusations. Where we value community and not divisive “tribes.”

I generally vote Republican, voted for Trump, and am an older, white male. Some may think that makes me a white supremacist, but I know it does not.

When you hear or read from national opinion writers and politicians that Republicans are bad or greedy or uncaring, I ask you to observe our actions as individuals first and then pass judgment. Turn off the news and pay attention to those of us in your own community. Only then will you start to understand what we believe. Test us as individuals, and don’t assume we are racists, or white supremacists, or whatever else we are often accused of.

Mike Clumpner

Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin