<p><strong>To the editor:</strong></p>
<p>America is exceptional not because it is inherently so, but because we are a nation that was founded on ideas, not on the tribalistic concept of blood and soil. This exceptionalism however does not and should not preclude us from reckoning with our nation’s past shortcomings. As we write, a white supremacist menace is exploiting these shortcomings in order to tear this nation asunder and take it back to the days of de jure white supremacy. Let us be clear: white supremacy is a profanation of the American ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is predicated on the elimination of our fellow citizens of color, and we should give it no quarter in contemporary America.</p>
<p>In the wake of the senseless bigotry that was unleashed upon innocents in El Paso by a white supremacist, Americans cannot stand idly by. A momentous responsibility falls on all of us to defend a multicultural society where everyone is welcome and affirmed in our national story regardless of what they look like, whom they worship, or whom they love.</p>
<p>In these tempestuous times, Stand Up Republic Indiana is committed to this task. If you are too, find us online and join us.</p>
<p><p><strong>Christian Omoruyi</strong></p>
<p><p><strong>Greenwood</strong></p>
