Polonians are sensitive to derogatory words or actions. When they see something anti-Polish on TV, hear it on the radio or read it in a publication, we are sure to receive e-mails and letters about it. They usually ask us to publicize the calumny or do something about it. We generally reply that we will report the insult, but are totally occupied with that primary duty and that, anyway, a complaint from the public is more powerful than action from another member of the media. Often, they do take action themselves, such as writing letters and e-mails or making phone calls. We consider that a worthwhile activity and are always pleased to hear about it.

It is surprising to us, though, that some of the same people who are offended by an insult to our community are also ready to cast aspersions and insults at other groups. Thankfully, that portion of Polonia is not large, but those who subscribe to such activity are particularly active and noisy in this political season. It cannot but be wondered if they recognize the dichotomy their hate represents. Apparently not.

A Polish American friend since college days continued for weeks to send us scurrilous e-mail regarding the half African American candidate for President. You know some of this garbage, such as the lies that Senator Obama is a Muslim or that he has no respect for the American flag. Other communications were more clearly simply racist. This "friend" is otherwise intelligent and knows the truth. He surely recognizes his own words to be a racially based attack. To us, there is no difference between spreading these hateful messages than claiming Poles cooperated with the Nazis. These are all insufferable falsehoods.

We repeatedly asked this person to cease sending us this scandalous material, but his hate was too great. Our only recourse was to remove him from our address book and block his incoming mail. In actuality, we do not care what candidate he supports, the party with which he identifies or to what political ideology he subscribes. That’s his business and, although we do not have much time for political propaganda, he is certainly free to promulgate whatever political opinion he may hold. Fortunately, e-mail programs provide a delete button, so we can read intelligent arguments or simply remove those that seem less worthy of attention. What we object to are vile messages based on race, nationality, color, gender, orientation or religion.

A high ranking official from Poland recently told us that he was "ashamed of Polonians who make offensive political statements based on race." We were delighted to hear that opinion. He obviously shares our understanding of how foolish it is for a Polish American to accept bigotry directed at others, while claiming disgust at the derogation of Poland and Poles. It obviously does not make sense.

The race for the White House will undoubtedly intensify in the coming months. That will tempt some of us to say things we might not even otherwise think. Let us hope that we, as Polish Americans, who know personally how harmful discrimination, hate or insensitivity can be, raise ourselves above those vices. We are free to make whatever political decision pleases us, but it should be based on the issues, on our hopes for America and the world, on respect for each other.