When teaching U.S. history, I used to say “Man meeting moment” (should change that to person). Washington, Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt were all individuals who were able to step up at just the right time for this nation.

Today we are, in my opinion, at that crossroads again. We cannot deny white nationalism is on the rise in this country and throughout Europe. We also know this current president is complicit with his rhetoric and for the first time in this country’s history a TV news network has also stoked the flames of white nationalism.

So who will be that person that will step up and lead us out of this nightmare? In my opinion we all need to be that person. We need to meet that moment. We need to lead by rallying against this hate. Get to know all your neighbors. Vote hate out in the ballot box. Any party that stands quietly by needs to be voted out. This is a moral issue not political, economic issue or gun issue. This is for the soul of our country.

We as whites need to recognize that our race has practiced this form of hate since we have landed on this continent. Not most of us by any means, but we need to acknowledge this fact so that we can stop this white nationalism once and for all.

If we don’t, I fear this country is heading for some very dark days.

Walter Kostecka

Federal Way