Readers react to images of anti-gay slurs written on WSU junior John Kraus’ vehicle. Kraus reported the incident to police on Nov. 10 and posted the images on Facebook. A responding officer escorted Kraus to the police station and then hand-washed and waxed his car for him. Kraus said the election of Republicans Donald Trump and Mike Pence validated individuals with anti-LGBT sentiment. Kraus made the post public on Facebook in order to show people what was happening and to hold Trump accountable.

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Danny Bullis: “This is totally inexcusable behavior to this young man. However, does it need to be politicized, does it need to make an anti-Trump statement, does it need to condemn the Republican Party?

Brittany Cole: “It seems to me that Trump serves as a form of validation for hateful people. A large part of his campaign was focused on blaming other demographics for America’s fault. A message of making America great again by eliminating the faults brought in by others. Whether or not he modified Mexicans with ‘illegal’ or Muslims with ‘extremist’, he singled groups out with active controversy. Then, he gets elected. The person saying we shouldn’t take chances with refugees, with discrimination lawsuits, is given power. He may not have spelled it out, but his election was a turning point in socially acceptable discrimination.”

Editor’s note: The comments used in reader reactions are selected from public responses to stories on The Daily Evergreen’s Facebook page. The names listed with the comments are those provided as the individual’s identity on Facebook.