For a while, employers have lamented the difficulty finding workers as the younger generation leaves the state to find work elsewhere. There are endless articles on how to keep young people here — how to bring new talent to Maine.

So how do we treat a young man — Ben Chin — who chose to stay in Lewiston, set up home and have a family here?

He has faced racist slurs, attacks on his efforts to improve housing conditions, and now attacks on his religion.

It is time the community welcomed this next generation, understanding that its ideas and beliefs may not be the same, and accept that difference is not bad, just different.

Failing to do that hurts business and attracting growth, and hurts the ability to make Maine a safe place for the next generation to make its home.

It is time to welcome the next generation to Lewiston-Auburn.

Rebecca Webber, Turner

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