Jewish hero, Muslim activist say white supremacist has right to speak at A&M

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Before surviving 75 combat missions over Korea and earning America's Distinguished Flying Cross, 87-year-old Ben Waserman first survived a Nazi concentration camp in Czechoslovakia.

For him, the words of alt-right leader Richard Spencer are both ugly and hauntingly familiar.

"The first thing it does is it brings back bad memories, because that is exactly what Adolph Hitler did. His propaganda incited people to hate other people," said Waserman, a long time Houstonian.

In fact, Spencer's white supremacist rhetoric recently drew exuberant Nazi salutes.

"We don't gain anything from their presence. They need us and not the other way around. For us as Europeans it is only normal again when we are great again. Hail Trump! Hail our people! Hail victory!" said Spencer.

Spencer, who urges Caucasians to "conquer or die" and contends America is the "inheritance" of the white race will speak Tuesday on the Texas A&M campus.

For its part, the University is in no way sanctioning the private event, but is remaining consistent with a policy of allowing controversial viewpoints like that of Houston activist Quanell X.

"We may not like it, but let the man speak. What we have to do is put together an agenda that makes sure that man's rhetoric has no power over us," said Quanell X.

Meantime, hero and Holocaust survivor Ben Waserman offers guidance for a generation whose freedoms he fought to insure.

"The blending of the cultures is what has made us great and the opportunities that everybody has to contribute to the good of all is what has made this country what it is today and unfortunately there are a few who want to tear that down," said Waserman.