Letter: We are more alike than different

For most of my 68 years I have lived in Linn County and have been surrounded by my Caucasian relatives, friends and co-workers.

In 2001 I became a flight attendant and my world changed. I have had the pleasure and honor these past 16 years of working with and serving people of every race, creed, religion, gender and sexual orientation. Not surprisingly I have found that we are more alike than different. When I greet a young woman wearing a hijab and carrying her toddler and I talk to the baby, her face breaks into a smile just like every other mother and baby that I greet on the aircraft.

All families whether white, black, Asian, Hispanic, Muslim, Christian, homosexual, heterosexual want the same thing: a better life for their children. The politics of 'fear” of this administration has saddened me deeply. The dislike for the 'other,” someone who doesn't look like you or worship like you or love like you, this intolerance for people is frightening.

We can differ on our political views and policies, but let's agree on one thing: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” - The Declaration of Independence

Kathy Healy

Cedar Rapids