In a parking lot in Auburn last week, I stopped my car to let two pedestrians pass. They were teenage girls, and from their skin tone and brightly colored clothes and headscarves they wore, I made the assumption that they were from our Somalian community.

Coming along behind them was an older white man, a bit scruffy looking, who passed behind the two girls. He caught my eye, then raised his hand and pantomimed shooting the two girls in the head. He then turned and nodded to me, assuming I would share his perspective on how to deal with them. I do not and was disgusted by his attitude and actions.

The good news is this — everyone who I have told about this was also disgusted with that man’s actions.

Of course, there are many levels of prejudice in our society. Few people advocate violence against our immigrant community, yet may harbor resentment or stereotypical attitudes. I pray that we will all move on toward a sense of community with each other. And I pray for this scruffy man, so consumed by hate and fear that he would think shooting young girls is a solution.

Stephen Carnahan, Auburn