I am heartened that The Philadelphia Inquirer printed my letter that concentrated on today’s dangerous, growing epidemic of antisemitism and other evil isms.

To the editor:

You don't need to search too far to find examples of distrust and dislike among Americans. At a recent conference I attended, a white woman fingered her cross necklace, telling me she was shaken when a prominent speaker said twice, "Some of my best friends are white," a statement that led to a nodding, laughing agreement from hundreds of audience members. "This is the statement traditionally used by those who hate Jews…the word Jew is used, rather than white," she explained. An unnecessary explanation, as I am Jewish. Soon after, I heard about the Cornell University student who turned down a potential job at a tech start-up because the founders are Jewish. He has received more than $19,000 from supporters who blame Jewish people for trying to "ruin" his reputation. I was even more sickened by the vicious remarks made about Michelle Obama by one of the fighters brought to the White House lawn in celebration of Donald Trump's 80th birthday, as our 47th president sat silently.

Following the conference, I contacted a Black colleague, asking how best to address entrenched hatred. We spoke about the necessity of intense, far-reaching grassroots efforts to bring people together, including truthful examinations of our history. We also agreed on the necessity of deep listening to the experiences of others, in which we all do our best to free ourselves from bias and assumptions.

A neighbor recently asked if I thought today's ugliness and dangers were new. My response was that the potential toward hate, a virulent, contagious, ever-sleeping monster, has always been there. The difference today is that the monster is being awakened, courted, and embraced by officials who will do all possible to destroy a precious, hard-won, ever-vulnerable democracy. They will stop at nothing to maintain their power and control, including the use of a war they instigated to call off a forthcoming presidential election.

SaraKay Smullens
Philadelphia

Published in The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 25, 2026

I am grateful that Linda Grobman printed what follows. The commentary is not only meant for those in mental health professions. I hope you will find it holds relevance.

Read the full article on socialworker.com

Read the full article on socialworker.com

by SaraKay Smullens, MSW, LCSW, DCSW, CGP, CFLE, BCD

    (Editor’s note: This is the third “What I Wish” article by SaraKay Smullens. These articles address far-reaching issues affecting the social work profession.)

How has an anti-immigrant, specifically anti-Muslim, anti-BIPOC, antisemitic, anti-women’s choice conspiracy theory become U.S. policy, deeply threatening our precious rule of law and supporting the determination to bring back white male domination of America?

In preparing for a 2025 NASW-PA presentation entitled, “Staying Sane in a Time of Insanity,” I turned for guidance to America’s founding roots, our Declaration of Independence. In doing so, I found it interesting that this document does not say all men are born equal—it says, instead, that we are created equal—speaking I believe in theological terms, equality in relationship with our Creator, not in birth opportunities provided. Nothing in this brave declaration specified a God who favors one religion over another. Or, in fact, that one must adopt a faith.

In Matthew 22:21, when Jesus says, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s”—to me, Jesus references the distinction between our relationship with God and the inequalities of birth, surroundings, and opportunities. This underscores that life is neither fair nor just, that some are born with far more opportunities for success and fulfillment than others. But God wants justice and opportunity for each of us. It is up to the officials we elect to create these opportunities for safety and fulfillment. Social workers must be central in this quest, moving forward with knowledge, awareness, maturity and wisdom.

Read the full article on socialworker.com

I am pleased that The Philadelphia Inquirer published the following letter today.

To the editor:

It is evident America is now desperately ill and in the throes of a second civil war. The nine-hour prayer fest the White House is planning will fan the flames of this illness in a country dedicated to religious freedom. In my quandary of how best to communicate amid the epidemic of prejudice and ideological entrenchment we face, I decided to turn to America’s roots, our Declaration of Independence, for guidance. In doing so, I found it interesting that Thomas Jefferson did not say all men are born equal. He used the word created, thinking, I believe, in theological terms — equality in relationship with their Creator, not in birth opportunities provided. Nothing in this brave declaration specified a god who favors one religion over another. Or, in fact, that one must adopt a faith.

In Matthew 22:21, when Jesus says, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s” — to me, Jesus references the distinction between our relationship with God and the inequalities of birth, surroundings, and opportunities. This underscores that life is neither fair nor just — that some are born with far more opportunities for success and fulfillment than others. But God wants justice and opportunity for each of us.

It is up to the officials we elect to create these opportunities for safety and fulfillment. Doing so necessitates the election of those with the capacity to lead with courage, compassion, common sense, and awareness of the underpinnings of mature, honorable thinking. Not leaders who pit faiths against each other. Maturity is marked by the determination to make life as fair as it possibly can be — opening doors for better lives for all of our children. Prejudice and exclusion, in the same camp as irrationally expressed rage, whatever its form, take us in the terrifying opposite direction.

SaraKay Smullens
Philadelphia

Published in The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 15, 2026