Regarding the handcuffing and detention of a black Bates College student, along with the current hatred for correct political reporting — shame on us as a nation. We are witnessing a steady decline in our collective conscience.

In the 1980s, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter commented on “60 Minutes” that the then current Reagan administration had allowed us to become more comfortable in our racism. Here, today, that same shame reigns two-fold.

Now, clearly, fear of the press, sexism, racism, homophobia, ageism and misanthropic thought and behavior rule the dark back rooms of the White House.

Shame on us for allowing this nation to sink back to this sad failure of thought.

Anthony Esposito, Auburn