To the editor:

The New Ulm Human Rights Commission (HRC) purports to be a non-partisan, non-political group whose sole focus is on human rights. But is that true? Is it non-partisan? Do politics have nothing to do with its agenda?

You can test this for yourself by asking a simple question: What is the greatest violation of human rights in our society today? Unquestionably, the answer is abortion. Every time a woman chooses to kill her unborn baby, the baby’s human rights are violated in the worst way possible.

Has the New Ulm HRC ever issued a statement regarding abortion? Has it ever undertaken an educational initiative to inform the people of New Ulm on the evils of abortion and how it violates the human rights of babies? No? Why not?! The HRC remains silent on the issue of abortion because they lack the moral insight that is necessary to see abortion as the greatest violation of human rights in our generation.

Until the HRC issues a statement condemning abortion on demand, they have no moral authority to tell the rest of us that we are doing wrong in any area of human rights. Whenever they take it upon themselves to dictate to the rest of us what is the “moral” position on something, they deserve to be totally ignored.

The HRC purports to be a non-political, non-partisan group, but their approach to discussing the topic of systemic racism shows that they are anything but. Their most recent letter to The Journal (7/29) is a case in point. Rather than engaging in an actual debate, in which they would provide actual, testable, refutable evidence of the existence of systemic racism, they resort to the Marxist tactic of attacking and discrediting the other side. They quote their so-called expert, speak the magic words “white fragility,” and cut off the discussion. They are hoping that we will simply accept their words as gospel truth and accept their leadership on this issue.

I say: Not so fast! They claim there is systemic racism in America. Let them prove it. Let’s have a real debate.

Michael Thom

New Ulm