The Dec. 7 paper had an AP article by Rachel Zoll in which Muslims complain that only followers of Islam are expected to apologize for or otherwise be held in some way to blame for the actions of members of their group.

I don’t know if this is an attempt to turn the blame on those who treat them as everyone else is treated, or an insular refusal to see anyone else’s problems.

In the last couple of weeks, the newspaper has carried stories about anti-abortionists being accused of incitement after an attack on an abortion facility, and persecution of Jews blamed for Israel.

Historical examples would include World War II’s roundup of Japanese-Americans and members of fascist organizations. The latter was more reasonable, but their families were pariahs as well.

After John Brown’s raid before the Civil War, several abolitionists fled into hiding, fearing retaliation.

The trick for the rest of us, of course, is figuring out what is unreasonable reaction, and what is as foolish as the Huguenots’ concessions after they won the first French religious war. Or, closer to home, if it will work out as well as increased diversity worked out for the Indians.

Tom Heyns

Chelsea