Someone said to me recently, “You’d be surprised how many people are Nazi sympathizers.” Sadly, I am not surprised.

I am old, and I have personally witnessed white supremacy actions and words over many decades. Sometimes these are so subtle it is easy to shrug it off, thinking that person didn’t really mean what he said. Sometimes it is far more blatant, causing me to shudder.

Last weekend, while watching the events in Charlottesville, Va., I saw a Nazi flag being carried next to an American flag. Tears came to my eyes as I thought of how many Americans gave their lives to prevent Nazis from spreading their hate throughout the world.

I applaud the counter-protesters who find this unacceptable. Statues that honor men who wanted to destroy our union should be removed.

True, they are part of our history … a most shameful part of our history. A museum exhibit that explains how and why this nation was very nearly torn apart is the proper venue for these artifacts.

The man occupying the White House at this time is not representing the values of our country. We do not believe that being white elevates a person in relation to others. Our founders, much venerated by so many, stated clearly “All men are created equal.”

How can you be a patriot and defend the actions of the Nazis, KKK, neo-Nazis and white supremacists on full display last week?

Think about it.