This month, we once again celebrated the Rev. Martin Luther King. This year, because of the recent film, “Selma,” President Lyndon Johnson is being celebrated, along with King. I suppose this is only natural since Johnson’s and King’s lives were so closely intertwined during the civil rights era.

There is some debate as to whether Johnson and King were in accord with each other. From what I remember of those times, both men worked together from opposite ends of the street to arrive at the most peaceful and productive outcome possible. They both did a fine job. Today, we have more civil rights than we did then. Are we there yet? Certainly not, but we are a lot closer.

Truly, such men are needed in today’s troubled world.

But, what we really need is fewer people who practice racism and class discrimination in either blatant or even subtle ways. One type this world could use less of is the type that promotes hatred of other religions based on the actions of a miniscule sample of that religious group. I’m talking about haters of Islam, calling all Muslims terrorists while they call on our armies to rain terror and completely annihilate millions of innocent people.

That would be like getting rid of everyone in Somerset and Kennebec counties because we know two killers are on the loose somewhere in those two counties. If we all practiced such tactics, we soon would turn the whole world into an armed camp.

If that happens, don’t expect your grandchildren to thank you.

Peter P. Sirois

Madison