Too much ado about Clegg-Shabazz photo

Dear Editor: The pastors of the Ministers’ Alliance of Ulster County protest, in the strongest terms, the unscrupulous political pamphlet showing community activist Ismail Shabazz and Democratic candidate for Ulster County district attorney David Clegg that’s being distributed by area GOP functionaries.

Ostensibly, the tumult centers around the optics of Clegg shaking the hand of Shabazz, a convicted felon. Apparently, it has become political poison for a politician, particularly one running for the county’s highest law-enforcement office, to be caught on camera being civil and respectful to any human being who was ever convicted of a felony.

The political propaganda suggests Clegg has all but disqualified himself for consideration as an effective district attorney by extending this international gesture of friendship and goodwill to a convicted felon. Shabazz is not an escaped felon. He is not wanted in any law-enforcement jurisdiction. He is a law-abiding area resident who paid his debt to society. Is he to be a social pariah for the rest of his life? Is he forever off-limits to politicians and community leaders?

The Bible admonishes us in Luke 6:37: Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. The act of forgiveness is extremely critical if we are to exist peacefully in this society. So whether or not Clegg knew he was shaking the hand of a felon should be immaterial as the candidates discuss relevant issues during this political campaign.

The fact that an innocent handshake has risen to this ridiculous level of discourse points to an atmosphere of panic and desperation.

Rev. G. Modele Clarke New Progressive Baptist Church

Kingston This letter also was signed by six other members of the Ministers’ Alliance of Ulster County.