In Greg Kesich’s March 11 column, I was appalled to learn of Facebook posts by Republican state Sen. Michael Willette and Waldo County Republican Committee Chairman Robert Hanish.

I am a lifelong Republican and am ashamed of their total lack of awareness of how ignorant their racial comments appeared this past week.

• First of all, they seem unaware that once placed on the Internet, everyone will see what you post, no matter how “secret” you think it is. How can two men, one in political office and one who supports Republican candidates, be so out of touch with society as a whole?

Though I do not personally like our current president, it is the responsibility of every American to support him. After all, he was elected by a wide majority twice.

• Secondly, remarks that degrade based on race or supposed national origin are totally out of place and against our nation’s ideals as set forth in our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Willette has apologized to the Senate. Hanish should apologize to the county committee. Then both of these men should do the right thing and resign.

If you don’t like what is going on in this country, we have many avenues in place to effect change. But Willette’s and Hanish’s posts not only will not effect change, they are also offensive to every American, especially those of color. I heard many times when I was growing up: “If you cannot say something nice about someone, you should not say anything at all.”

I grew up in the 1950s and ’60s and saw the struggles firsthand to improve race relations to where they are today: still far from perfect. It appears we have two men who failed their history courses and continue to live in the dark ages of race relations in this country.

Jonathan Hedman

Gray