Rockville Centre Letters to the Editor

Swastikas don’t only offend Jews

To the Editor:

I just couldn’t ignore last week’s letter “Sensitivity limits free speech” from Ed Serrao. Those who know me are aware that political correctness certainly doesn’t apply to me. I can be flippant in conversation and too honest to be concerned about what others may think of me. But the one thing I remember is that my mom always told me that what was on my mind was on my tongue.

I cannot ignore Mr. Serrao’s letter. Yes, I feel that sometimes sensitivity is taken too far, but when it comes to the swastika, it can never be taken far enough. And don’t think it refers just to the Jewish population; it also refers to Romani, Catholics, the mentally challenged, those with disabilities and so, so many more.

I could not disagree more with Ed Serrao. And yes, no one should defile any religious symbols — including the Virgin Mary and Christ on the cross. Respect is something that must be taught! And acts of vandalism must be strongly punished. But the fools who defile these religious symbols weren’t walked into ovens. That is a big difference.

Sue Roth

Rockville Centre

Swastika ban isn’t ‘pandering’

To the Editor:

While I agree that the desecration of any religious symbol is abhorrent, it is unfortunate that reader Ed Serrao feels that the bill to be raised in the New York State Legislature to ban swastikas is “pandering to the Jews” (“Sensitivity limits free speech,” Sept. 10-17). But then, I doubt he has lost six million relatives in the name of that symbol.

I hope that if the time should come, I would support Mr. Serrao’s quest for a remedy to the ills he describes, in memory of those six million.

He is correct, however, about one of the many things that makes this country great: the right to express his opinions with no fear of reprisal.

Marc Zeloof

Rockville Centre

Angels of mercy

To the Editor:

On Sept. 9, just before 9 a.m., I tripped on the uneven sidewalk on Clinton Avenue, adjacent to the village parking lot. I went down, flat on my face!