Letter to the Editor

HUMAN RIGHTS: A moral issue

I thank Timothy Braatz for his timely piece outlining our community’s historical response to white supremacists, describing how they were soundly rejected by our community.

The loss of the Aryan Nation’s assets and the strong, brave response of our County Commissioners and Ministerial Association kept them from establishing their hateful, divisive philosophy here.

I realize we are in a vastly more complex world today. I also realize we are more divided politically than during that time. However, the preservation of human rights is not a political issue.

The preservation of human rights is a moral issue. Disrespecting the rights of another person is a moral issue. Excluding someone from their legal rights is a moral issue. We must raise our children to value moral concepts if we are to maintain our civilization. Just as in the past, our leaders are obligated morally to stand up to those who would disrespect our laws and their fellow humans.

Therefore, I will count on our County Commissioners and our Ministerial Association again to bravely meet their obligation to reject white separatists who try to foment their ugly and evil philosophy among us.

That said, we ourselves, are not exempt from standing for what’s right. If you hear ugly talk, or see someone being discriminated against, call it out. Don’t stay silent. Be the example for our children. This is a community of good people. If we do not protect it from hate and division, we will lose it.

— Barbara Castellan

Bonners Ferry