When I was a lieutenant stationed in Texas, I attended a mandatory race relations class. The lecturer asked me if I was prejudiced. I replied, “I don’t think so.” He said, “I think you are.”

There was no explanation and no discussion. I was judged prejudiced by someone who didn’t even know me. Perhaps he had never been to Hawaii, which is largely a welcoming, multi-cultural society.

This past month, the nation was riveted by the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearing. The Senate committee split along party lines. The hearing had completed questions about his competency, and then an uncorroborated accusation in possession of one party was leaked to the press, extending the process.

The nominee was then treated like a sex offender under presumption of guilt by Democratic members. Our U.S. senator insisted that the woman automatically be believed, and said that men should “shut up and step up.”

Auwe, if party blinders and ambition rule over common sense and decency.

Irwin Furomoto

Moanalua

Click here to read more Letters to the Editor.