On Saturday, Aug. 12, Heather Heyers was killed when James Alex Fields, a white nationalist, drove his car into a crowd of counter protesters, injuring a total of 19 others. This event should never have happened.

The U.S. has been in a state of unrest very recently and the situation, right now, seems to only be getting worse. The upheaval in Charlottesville reveals remnants of America’s past we would rather forget such as the Ku Klux Klan and groups of Neo Nazi’s, all under the band of white Nationalist.

The Charlottesville protests began over the planned removal of a statue of Confederate army general Robert E. Lee situated in the middle of Emancipation Park, Charlottesville, Virginia. However, with the anti-semitic and racist statements being spouted at white Nationalist and Alt. Right rallies, it’s obvious the hatred comes from other places. In response to the protests, a group dubbing themselves the white Nationalists decided to protest the statue’s removal, which in turn spurred a group of counter protesters to challenge them.

Protesting anything one sees as unjust is a right granted to all Americans. However, problems arise and actions go too far when people start spouting Nazi rhetoric and doing the Nazi salute. Whether or not this is intentional, scenes like these are forms of intimidation and make people feel unwelcome in America. Groups such as the self proclaimed white nationalist and the Alt-Right actively associate with racist organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan and the Neo-Nazi party. Due to these stunts it’s impossible for the white Nationalist group to try to refute the general perception of themselves being racist.

In addition, on Aug.12, President Trump’s lack of acknowledgement of the clear wrongdoings of the alt-Right and white nationalist groups, sends a message to the American people of allegiance between the White House and the extreme radicals of the white nationalists. With that sort of position emanating from the presidency, people who are, have been and can be targeted by these people most certainly have reasons to be afraid. Even when the president attempted to denounce the groups, denying the white Nationalist should have been his first word on the matter.

While we may strive to be a country known for acceptance, we cannot do so while tolerating racism and violence. Hate should not be vouched for, it should be rejected by all citizens, especially the president. People need to feel supported and safe in the U.S. Events at Park in the last year, such as the Hijab incident at the High School, have shaken up the community and recently the feeling of safety has been sliding farther and farther away. The recent events in Charlottesville, along with the president’s reaction, worsen the situation.