An out-of-state organization has mailed information to Penn State students and student organizations which, in a carefully-worded guise, attempts to persuade the reader that millions of Jews were never killed in World War II's Holocaust.

Some may be tempted to dismiss such claims as ridiculous or assume that they may be protected by the First Amendment, but they nonetheless are threatening and painful to members of our community.

It is difficult for most of us to comprehend why persons would act to hurt some University students, faculty, staff or others in our community.

The antisemitic material being targeted at Penn State groups makes it clear that some of these national hate groups believe they have a place here, despite the fact that thousands of us have stood up in recent weeks to condemn acts of racism and bigotry.

We must continue to work together, united against such acts, using all the tools available to us to discourage them. In those cases where University or legal sanctions are not applicable, we will rally around those who are threatened or ridiculed.

It is unlikely that Penn State and Centre County will solve completely the problems of racism and bigotry, but we can stand united against them. A threat to some of us is a threat to all of us.