To be faced with the prospect of being smeared with “Racist!” is a terrifying place to be in this society. People go out of their way not be associated with the term, to shy away from any hint that anyone could ever think they are racist. They try to ingratiate themselves and appease. It is an undeniably powerful way to keep people in a state of fear and it chills freedom of speech.

This phenomenon is illustrated by only one of many critics of the president’s statements on Charlottesville. Gary Cohn (previously unknown to me) Director of the National Economic Council, nearly resigned it was learned yesterday, over his remarks. Cohn is well-repected in the field and has hopes to be named chairman of the Federal Reserve.

Cohn, a high-profile Jewish member of the administration and former Goldman Sachs executive, said Trump’s handling of the Charlottesville violence and protests caused him “distress.” He said the administration “can and must do better” to condemn hate groups.

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“Citizens standing up for equality and freedom can never be equated with white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and the KKK. I believe this administration can and must do better in consistently and unequivocally condemning these groups and do everything we can to heal the deep divisions that exist in our communities. As a Jewish American, I will not allow neo-Nazis ranting ‘Jews will not replace us’ to cause this Jew to leave his job,” he said.

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“I am reluctant to leave my post as director of the National Economic Council because I feel a duty to fulfill my commitment to work on behalf of the American people. But I also feel compelled to voice my distress over the events of the last two weeks,” he told the newspaper.

Cohn indicated there is pressure among his colleagues to speak out on Charlottesville.

“This is a personal issue for each of us. We are all grappling with it. This takes time to grapple with,” he said.