I believe the Gazette should absolutely and always refrain from publishing an article or commentary that is a call to arms, for any reason, by any person or group. I was shocked to read such a call by Ilan Stavans, “I believe American Jews should arm ourselves” in the “Friday Takeaway” section in Hampshire Life.
And, how are we to understand what Mr. Stavans is saying in this article? He writes he is adamantly against the Second Amendment and “… knowing as I do that violence begets violence,” yet he calls on American Jews to arm themselves.
And what of other groups who have suffered historically and continue to feel threatened in the current moment — African-Americans and other people of color, LGBTQ and transgender people. What about women and immigrant populations? And, then there are the schoolchildren and their teachers.What sort of a country will we have if we — all of us — arm ourselves against each other?
Claudia Lefko
Northampton