April was Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month, commemorating speech and actions in the 20th century, which led to the deaths of millions, including those in the Holocaust, and the Armenian and Rwandan genocides.

Sadly, various populations continue to suffer in many parts of the world. They are verbally or physically attacked due to believed or assumed differences, such as those of ethnicity, religion or financial or social position.

Such stereotyping, criticizing and persecuting people based on economic, religious or personal objections to their appearance, beliefs, status or behavior is destructive to a civil society and to ourselves. Sadly, hateful speech against others is being widely disseminated by news outlets and social media, reinforcing ill-informed and fear-based views and affecting all who are exposed to it, particularly the youth.

As a society, we need to speak out against such speech and its corrosive effects. Using words and deeds to respond to others with love and concern is recommended by most religions. We believe “there is that of God in every one” that should be respected.

Whether we adhere to a religion or not, we can all practice thoughtful, considerate speech and open-minded and caring behavior.

Lewiston Monthly Meeting (Quakers), Susan Reilly, clerk