Commentary: Trump mistreated Muslim woman

This is for everyone that attended the rally for Donald Trump at Winthrop University on Jan. 8. Shame on you for allowing the Muslim lady to be treated the way she was. Shame on you if you agreed with this treatment!

I do not believe America needs this kind of change. Donald Trump talks about making America great again, then fills his audience with fear. Fear the rapist and drug dealers from Mexico. Fear the Muslims for they are terrorist. Elect me President and I will get rid of all immigrants who do not belong here. His message is fear. Isn't that what Hitler use to say. Fear everyone that is not you. Remember the way the Japanese-Americans were treated in WWII.

How many of us mourned the loss of so many lives on 9/11. Some of them were Muslims, Jews, Catholics, Baptist, etc. Were these people American? Or terrorists and rapists?

America was built on immigrants, coming because of persecution for religion, nationality and beliefs. Many helped them achieve their goals. Their children flourished, and made this country great. Many of our greatest achievements were from immigrants and children of slaves. Unless you are Native American, you are from immigrants.

Our Constitution states all men are created equal. Now I have heard all the barking about 2nd Amendment rights. What about our 1st amendment rights, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and pursuit of happiness. Why are we not protesting people who are trying to take that away from us?

How would you feel if your mother or wife or sister went to hear someone speak and was told angrily to get out because she was not the right religion or the clothes she wore offended them.

Mr. Trump has every right to say what he wants. I will defend his right. However that does not mean I have to believe it. Please people, we need Americans working to keep our country safe, not people who have insulted and turned all our allies against us. America can't stand alone in this fight.

ISIS is strong because of the Donald Trumps of the world. The ones who say they have rights, but try to take away the rights of others. We say everyone is equal but then back people like Mr. Trump, who says, fear immigrants and drive them from our country.

I am not naïve enough to say we don't need change. We need to make sure of who is coming into our country by thoroughly investigating them. Change the laws, change the politicians who do not do what the American people want. DO NOT CHANGE your beliefs and your values because of fear.

This woman was brave enough to say, here I am, come find out who I am. I would love you to get to know me and my Muslim religion. I wish I was there. I would have wanted to talk with her. To find out more about her.

Many years ago my son decided to change his religion because he was marrying a woman of a different faith. I was upset because my religion was my father's and his father's and so on. I went and spoke with people of this faith and found they believe in many of the same things I do and some I do not. Since then I have always talked with people of different faiths and nationalities and found there was always one constant. They all believed in a Supreme Being and an after life. Everyone was kind and I never felt threatened, nor was I in fear of their beliefs.

I want to know what these candidates are going to do about our problems, not about what I should fear. I want people to be treated with respect and dignity, not threats and accusations.

I want an honest conversation with these people, not one that makes me feel the America I love, is one of fear, anger and resentment. Please, the only way to make America great is to remember why she was established in the first place.

This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 10:58 AM with the headline "Commentary: Trump mistreated Muslim woman."