By Sue Winthrop

“I have been thinking about “chazak veematz,” which translates to “Be strong of good courage.” It takes courage to stand up to the president of the United States and his administration. This is especially true for people of color, immigrants, people who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, people who are Jewish, Muslim and even those Republicans that are serving in the House and Senate. I get that, though I have a difficult time understanding how people can be so cruel to each other.

I was raised in a household that believed in and practiced Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. My elementary and high school was diverse. I learned how to truly listen, respect and have compassion for others. I still belong to the synagogue of my youth and appreciate the message from the rabbis and Jewish community that I was raised in and belong to now. Living my life with compassion is part of my DNA. If I see someone using a wheelchair, walker or cane heading to a door, I will ask if I may open the door for them. It is important that I ask first if the person needs help. If I meet someone on the street that may be unhoused, I will ask them if I could get them something to eat and something to drink. Every once in a while there is a dialogue, and I listen and try to show that I care.

The president of the United States and his administration wants to “rule” with terror. The latest indication of this is the development of “Alligator Alcatraz.” This is a controversial migrant detention center in the Everglades. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, with other state emergency management officials, gave the president and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem a tour of the facility. It seems to me this is beyond cruel. This facility is made up of tents. Inside the tents there are wire cages surrounding bunk beds. Razor-wire surrounds the facility. The facility is at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport. This is an isolated, 39-square mile airstrip located within the wetlands of the Big Cypress National Reserve next to the Everglades National Park. The nickname “Alligator Alcatraz” is because of the proximity of alligators and pythons to the facility. There are also mosquitoes and extreme heat. I have wondered what would happen during a hurricane. Where would everyone be evacuated to? It seems to me that this administration is too excited about this facility. They want to show the world how cruel and heartless they can be.

If you look at deportation in the United States, the fact is anyone that looks like they could be an immigrant could be detained, arrested and possibly deported. This to me is racial profiling. Brad Lander, the New York City comptroller, was arrested at an immigration court in Lower Manhattan for repeatedly saying, “You don’t have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens.” Sen. Alex Padilla, a Democrat in California, was shoved out of a press conference by Noem, told to drop to his knees, then handcuffed after saying who he was and trying to ask a question. Noem knows who Sen. Padilla is and this seemed to be an act of terror and intimidation. Sen. Padilla was released and at a press conference said the following: “If that is what the administration is willing to do to a United States senator for having the authority to simply ask a question, imagine what they will do to any American who dares to speak up.”

I believe that as horrible as this seems, we can make a difference. Each of us needs to listen to each other and have peaceful dialogues. As a nation we must turn off and tune out the misinformation and start standing up for democracy. All of us can change what is going on by standing up against hate and making our words heard peacefully.

Sue Winthrop is a longtime resident of Longmont. Sue has a bachelor’s in elementary education and a master’s in early childhood special education.