Dallas Dance has nothing to apologize for

I am appalled by people who think Baltimore County Superintendent Dallas Dance should be fired for retweeting, “Educators: tomorrow pls show your muslim, black, latino, jewish, disabled, or just non-white St’s, that you love them and will protect them!” (“Superintendent Dallas Dance’s retweet controversy draws attention at school board meeting,” Nov. 23.) In view of some things President-elect Donald Trump said during the campaign, and the vicious behavior and speech of some of his supporters, all of which are a matter of record, sharing that message was entirely reasonable and appropriate.

Teachers in many schools had to deal with children who were frightened and distressed the day after the election. Those children were plainly not in that condition because of Mr. Dance’s tweet, of which most of them were probably unaware, but because of the news reports which they had heard previously, and perhaps in some cases because of things they had seen or heard in person.

It is good that the president-elect has begun to condemn the hateful violence which he previously incited. We must hope that he will in the future set a better example of concern for all our children, but it is a pity that so many Marylanders do not feel that concern and condemn an educator who does. I am a little sorry for them: Having so little love in one’s heart makes for a bitter life.