Look evil in eye, reject lie. Fear at root of Buffalo shooting behind Ohio bills| Robinson
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Amelia Robinson in the Columbus Dispatch's opinion and community engagement editor.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul traveled to Buffalo after 10 people were massacred there in what authorities are calling a racist attack against Black people.
"It strikes us in our very heart to know that such evil lurks out there,” she said during a press conference.
Hearts were indeed struck by the despicable rampage inside the Tops supermarket in a predominantly Black neighborhood, but people with the alleged gunman's beliefs are not exactly lurking unseen in the shadows.
Evil is waving its flag right in the view of the public. And thanks to the ease of obtaining firearms, far too many evil people are carrying weapons common on battlefields.
It is no wonder, evil is being egged on by those pushing the narrative that there is a war on whiteness and other kinds of people are bad based on who they love, the color of their skin, the language they speak or how they worship.
Elements of Great Replacement Theory — a bogus claim that there is an orchestrated effort to replace white people through immigration and interracial marriage embraced by the alleged Buffalo shooter — enter American homes nightly thanks to talking heads on FOX News spewing hate.
It is woven into both Ohio House Bills 327 and 616, which, among other things, take aim at so-called "divisive concepts."
The lawmakers behind the bills say they would keep teachers from pushing so-called "dangerous" and "divisive" ideas on students and protect the "accurate" teaching of our history.
What they would really do is prevent kids from "feeling bad" and learning ugly, but all-too-real truths about racism and oppression.
House Bill 327 would also impact how racism, slavery and inequity are discussed by public colleges and other public entities such as police departments and libraries.
More: Our view: In age of misinformation, 'divisive concepts,' library more important than ever
It would forbid "race or sex scapegoating" in classrooms and require "impartial instruction on the historical oppression of a particular group of people based on race, ethnicity, class, nationality, religion, or geographic region."
There is good in the world, and as the shooting in Buffalo reminded us, there is also evil. Evil cannot be talked about in an impartial, two sides to every story way.
There is no impartial way to discuss the Buffalo shooting.
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There is no impartial way to discuss the 2019 attack on Mexicans and Mexican Americans in that Walmart in El Paso, Texas.
There is no impartial way to discuss the 2018 attack on Jewish people at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
There is no impartial way to discuss the 2018 attack on women at Tallahassee Hot Yoga in Florida.
There is no impartial way to discuss the 2015 attack on Black people at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C.
People were murdered due to their race, ethnicity, religion or gender.
That's a fact.
The past is not a place to dwell, but we must examine the evil and good found in it to evolve so liberty can be expanded to all.
America is changing and cities like Columbus are becoming more diverse.
Columbus' population increased 15% from 2010 to 905,748 people, according to the 2020 Census due to more ethnic diversity.
The city added 30,000 Black residents and 24,253 Asian residents. According to the Census, a total 65,126 residents now report two or more races.
More: Opinion: Asian Americans long discriminated against, long fighters for rights
The percentage of those who categorize themselves and Hispanic jumped by nearly 60% to 70,179.
Evil would tell you change is bad, but do not be fooled by the dangerous and divisive lie steeped in oppression and fear.
Our differences make us stronger. They help make the nation great.
More: The Buffalo shooting should make the GOP change its 'Great Replacement Theory' rhetoric
As a nation, state and city, we cannot afford to fear change. We can not ignore the evil right in front of our eyes.
We cannot turn or hide from it. It is not lurking and neither should we. Its despicable lows should not shock us. They should strengthen our resolve to reject it.
It is time we looked it straight in the face.
Amelia Robinson in the Columbus Dispatch's opinion and community engagement editor.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Opinion: House Bill 327 and 616 tied to fear of others found in shooting
