Opinion: History is full of warnings of what Donald Trump could do to America

To the editor: Thank you for the article about the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. (“Talk of a registry for Muslims has Japanese internment survivors asking: ‘Can’t they see what’s wrong?’” Nov. 18)

The Venice Japanese American Memorial Monument Committee, of which I am a member, has gathered community support and raised funds for a permanent monument on the northwestern corner of Venice and Lincoln boulevards. This marks the corner from which 1,000 persons of Japanese ancestry lined up for transport to the Manzanar concentration camp in a remote California desert in April 1942. The monument will be dedicated in April.

The black granite obelisk resembles the one at the cemetery at Manzanar. There, three kanji characters identify the obelisk as a “monument to console the dead.” The obelisk in Venice will be a reminder to the living: “Be forever vigilant about defending our constitutional rights. The powers of government must never again perpetrate an injustice against any group based solely on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion.”

Today, more than ever, we must remember our history.

Phyllis Hayashibara, Los Angeles

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To the editor: We judge prewar Germans harshly for not seeing Adolf Hitler’s racism as categorically disqualifying. A large minority of German citizens voted for him because he offered the country hope, and they overlooked his racism.

A large minority of Americans have just elected a president who offered them hope, overlooking an attitude toward race and torture that ought to have been categorically disqualifying.

We should be just as concerned about the one as we were about the other. Neither had any prior experience in governing. Both showed dictatorial tendencies early. Both were persuaded that their passionate followers in effect gave them a blank check.

I can hardly believe that I will be living through the self-destruction of two aspiring empires in a single lifetime.

Siegfried Othmer, Woodland Hills

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To the editor: The election of Donald Trump as president has made fear and anxiety the dominant emotions for many minority groups. As a Muslim, I combat fear with faith in God and follow the motto “love for all, hatred for none.”

However, news of Muslims getting harassed makes me antsy. Every day, members of my mosque fear having a pig’s severed head, bacon or something worse thrown at us.

Recently, when members of my congregation arrived for daily prayers, there was indeed something at the mosque’s door. One of our neighbors had left flowers and a card that read as follows: “Although we do not share the same religion, I know we share the same values of love and respect for all. As your neighbors, we want you all to know we are here for you.”

This was not just a neighborly gesture; it provided hope for people who look different and pray differently. This holiday season, we must spread this message of unity.

Aziza Faruqi, Austin, Texas

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