If you live in the United States of America, you know what happened. If you don’t, let me recap.

This is our current sitting president, Donald J. Trump.

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Some people like him. Some people loathe him.

This is Sarah Huckabee Sanders. She is the president’s press secretary.

image by Flora Thevoux

Some people love her. Some people loathe her.

Recently, Sarah went with her family to dine at The Red Hen Restaurant.

When discovered who she was, the management politely asked her to leave.

Why? Because they hated who she represents. They hated her ideals and her defense of Trump.

Now here’s the opinion part.

I am not a fan of our president. In fact, I can’t wait for the day he leaves office. I hate his disregard of our global community and his arrogant, self serving ways. Not to mention his lack his moral and ethical standing.

I am also not a fan of a person who chooses to defend him. But, unfortunately, it’s Sarah Huckabee Sanders job.

But here’s the deal. How many people have been denied service because of their ethnicity, their religious beliefs, their sexual preferences? Too many.

Historically, denying service to those we don’t agree with has been proven wrong. It defies our civil liberties.

If you are a conservative Republican racist, heed those words. But not just because SHS was booted out of a restaurant. Apply it to all people.

If you are a card-carrying liberal, do the same.

After decades of discrimination, current anti-discrimation laws say you cannot refuse service based on race, color, religion or national origin. Other than that, a restaurant can refuse service to anyone. HOWEVER, they must be consistent. For example, No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service must apply to everyone. Therefore, in The Red Hen’s case, it would only have been “appropriate” to ask Sarah Huckabee Sanders to leave if they had a “No Trump Supporters Served” policy.

Yes, discrimination is discrimination. Let’s stand taller than our hate.

If I owned The Red Hen, I would have allowed her family to eat in my establishment. But, no doubt, I would pulled Ms. Huckabee Sanders aside and asked her a few pointed questions.

But if the president himself knocked on the door to my private home? I’d double lock the doors and close the shades.

– Carolyn Dennis-Willingham