To the editor:

The recent social media post by the Brown County Republican Party refers to a “great experiment.” The post singles out an oppressed minority and blames them for the hardships they have faced and continue to face. This assimilationist perspective (minority populations must assimilate into the majority population) completely ignores centuries of racist laws, policies, and procedures that create and sustain inequality.

The post itself is shameful. It clearly expresses racist ideas. Noted scholar Ibram Kendi reminds us that one either engages in racist behavior or in antiracist behavior. There is no middle ground, for to do nothing in the face of racist behavior is to support it. In the absence of clear condemnation of the content of the post, the community can only assume that the original poster, the moderator, and the members of that organization support the content.

This social media post and the tacit silent endorsement by the Brown County Republican Party is powerful evidence supporting the idea that racism is at least tolerated if not endorsed by elected officials. The fact that most elected county officials are Republicans is a powerful statement on race relations in Brown County.

The only experiment taking place is the creation and sustaining of a more perfect union based upon the ideals of equality. Those very ideals are under attack and have been under attack for longer than any of us can remember.

Kevin McCracken, Brown County