I appreciated reading the recent CVN story about Haines’ Elizabeth Peratrovich celebration, and discussion of her successful fight for justice.

A second CVN story also caught my attention. I spent my first 18 years in the Twin Cities, and did not recognize the Minneapolis occupied by ICE, with resulting “ambient paranoia” and general feelings of unsafety and “hyper vigilance.”

Positive change in Alaska resulting from Peratrovich’s leadership is reason for celebration, not silence. 

Abhorrent negative changes in Minneapolis as a result of Trump’s policy is reason to fight for justice and accountability. Remaining silent is not a moral option.

Justice achieved in Alaska mightily contrasts with the injustice perpetrated by our federal government on people who are not “murderers and rapists,” are not “the worst of the worst,” but ordinary human beings who want to feed their families and educate their children.

Nothing too different going on here from past demonization of Alaska Natives in Peratrovich’s day. 

Don’t be fooled. What’s playing out on the national stage is no longer about politics. It’s about morality. At this time in our history, the words of Martin Niemoller, Lutheran pastor and Nazi concentration camp survivor are extremely relevant:

First they came for the socialists and I did not speak out because I am not a socialist.

Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I am not a Jew.

Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me.

Nancy Berland