While shopping in Newport the other day, a young man pulled up beside my car in a pickup truck. There was a decal on one of the windows that disparaged gays and women.

The young man driving the pickup was in his mid-20s. He was overweight and unkempt. In my mind, before indicting him for displaying such a shallow message, I wondered where he learned to be so hateful and narrow minded. The most logical answer would be at home as a young child.

That young man must live a life devoid of diverse and interesting relationships as his attitude is exclusionary and certainly not inclusive. To all parents reading this, just a heads-up to be careful and think about your words and actions while raising children. You can make a choice to teach your children hate and intolerance, or love and understanding.

Mark R. Carney

East Newport