AMERICANS: Fascist or anti-fascist?

If you are not a fascist, you are anti-fascist. Anti-fa means anti-fascist. It is a belief system that fascism is wrong. Anti-fa believers are peacefully protesting against systemic racism. They are not the ones carrying the guns. Anti-fascists are for equal rights under the law, fair treatment for all Americans. They are acknowledging that black lives matter.

Blacks and people of color are not treated the same as whites. No white person would say they want to be treated like a black person or would trade places with a black person. This means we know exactly what is going on; we know how blacks and people of color are treated. Some whites take part in perpetuating that treatment, some whites are silent, which is almost as bad. Some whites are acknowledging that it’s time to fight against racism, to fight for their fellow human beings. We are all a part of the human race. It’s time to say stop.

We cannot continue being complacent and/or complicit in a violent response by anyone, police or otherwise, to people of color, or people that are different from ourselves. Imagine a world where we treat everyone like they are important or a potential friend. It’s uncomfortable to be the first to reach out, but if we do that simple smile and nod, we can lighten the burden of another human. We can take the first steps in breaking the bonds we have created. We can heal ourselves.

GERI HAGLER

Coeur d’Alene