SWASTIKA: Symbol of hate

A swastika anyplace, particularly in the current times, can hardly be viewed as a prank. Soap suds in a school fountain may be a prank. Judging by the size of this racist symbol, it took some time and thought to do this.

Pranks may be annoying or humorous, which this symbol is neither. When this symbol of hate appears at the high school level, it should be particularly concerning.

I generally believe most high school students in Coeur d’Alene are more intelligent than some older people who appear to advocate what the swastika represents. Just because no one person seems to be the intended focus of this swastika doesn’t necessarily make it any less a hate crime. In my opinion, the school administration should have reported this to the police for a proper review as soon as they were aware it happened.

PHIL WARD

Coeur d’Alene