Editor, Gazette-Journal:

I don’t hate anyone. Not a person (although truthfully, there are some I do not like) nor any group of people.

I am a Southerner, a Virginian, a Confederate. Contrary to misconceptions about Southerners, I agree that slavery was and continues to be a disgusting evil in this world. I have no problem with the removal of what is mistakenly called the Confederate flag from the South Carolina State Capitol because it is not the Confederate flag and because it is the State Capitol (I don’t feel that it is appropriate for the actual Confederate flag to be flown there, either).

I want to cry, though, because of the hate-mongers condemning any white person who is proud to be Southern. I hate that this long overdue flag removal is being done in ignorance. I hate that the evil man who murdered nine innocent people has succeeded in causing a race war. I hate that other evil people, those in the KKK, have stolen a symbol of my past and have made it foul before the world. 

I am Roman Catholic. Contrary to the many misconceptions about my faith, I do not hate gay people or Jewish people. I do not worship idols. I pray for peace. I pray for myself, my family, my friends, and others I don’t know but who might be suffering in some way.

I am a right-wing conservative. I believe in small government. I do not agree with many of the things our current president has done, but I still do not hate.

I am a historian. I wish I could erase the misconceptions perpetrated by media and ignorance from the masses. I wish schools would teach the truth. I wish people would seek the truth for themselves from original sources.

I am a woman. My gender was the last to get the right to vote. My gender still has a glass ceiling and I do not hate. 

When the shooting happened in Charleston, I was humbled by the reaction of the victims’ families. They chose to forgive the monster that caused their pain and loss. I was uplifted by the Mayor of Charleston’s message that the city would not be divided but rather be even more unified … how sad that outside forces have descended on that once quiet town and have made it their soapbox spewing division and hate. Rather than allow for healing, these people are perpetuating racial tensions for their own agenda. 

I don’t hate anyone. Why do I see so much hate directed at me because I am a Belle? Please do not, if you’ll excuse the expression, white-wash my history.

Melissa Polonsky

Gloucester, Va.