Letter to the editor: White nationalism a non-issue

In response to the article “Former skinhead warns of resurgent hatred in Westmoreland County visit” (Aug. 29, TribLIVE), regarding Arno Michaelis’ involvement in white nationalism: The Westmoreland Diversity Coalition disrespected the local white community by bringing this non-issue to town.

There have been very few hate crimes reported in the county. Nationally, there are 50,000 drug overdoses per year, countless victims of human trafficking and over 7,000 black homicides per year. More blacks are killed in Chicago per month than by all white supremacists nationally per year.

The more attention you put on this, the greater the membership in such groups becomes. By listing some of the 36 hate groups operating in Pennsylvania, you just made it easier to join. You exacerbate the problem by covering it. No group should be targeted for death.

I applaud Michaelis for seeing the light. This is just another example of rallying the liberals against a non-issue.

I challenge the Westmoreland Diversity Coalition, Saint Vincent College, YWCA Westmoreland County and the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County to hold a symposium on black crime and out-of-wedlock births, which are real issues. Facts should be researched before events like this are promoted and praised.

John Ventre

Hempfield