Yet again conservative columnist Lee Elci has used his column as a platform to incite prejudice, fear, and political partisanship in our local communities.

He begins by presenting a portion of the Police Officer’s Creed.

I’m sure the partial selection reflects the word constraints of the commentary and not the relatability to the content.

Because the Creed also includes, “I will never act officiously or permit my personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.”

Although you recognize that the murder of George Floyd was carried out by a “soulless, callous white police officer,” you fail to acknowledge the disproportionate use of deadly force that people of color experience on a regular basis.

How many times do we have to watch with horror as other officers, who took the same oath, stand silently by and allow this violence to perpetuate?

Your hollow indignation is followed by the inevitable, “But the looting…”

Let me be clear: violence, looting and burning of property do not represent my personal point of view to right an injustice.

But stop using fear as a weapon.

Elci’s column proceeds to describe bloody battlegrounds filled with fire and chaos reigning down upon neighborhoods and innocent businesses.

I would say that approach utilizes a selective spin.

Yes, there are “bad actors” on both sides intent on creating chaos to further divide our nation. But where was Mr. Elci’s outrage when armed militia members stormed the capital in Lansing, Michigan? Were those protestors not radicals serving as “jackals,” seizing the moment to exploit their message as well?

Why was there no mention of people of color coming out to clean up their neighborhoods in cities and towns after these “bad actors” came in from outside to create chaos?

Why was there no mention of 16-year-old Stefan Perez who urged protesters in Detroit to abide by the 8 p.m. curfew?

Perhaps the news media you consume doesn’t bother to report that side of things.

You acknowledge the inadequacies of President Trump’s response, but expose your partisanship by placing blame on the shoulders of “weak-kneed, naïve blue-state mayors and governors.”

You ask your readers to consider “What will you do if the riots come to Norwich or New London?”

We must not allow the conversation to be turned to “what if” as a way to inspire suspicion and fear.

We must not allow people of color to be murdered by officers of the law and vigilantes because they “might” have been committing a crime.

We should stand together in the fight for justice and equality for all.

Karen Cote lives in Windham.