By Michelle Rydz
There is no doubt, what happened in Charlottesville was a direct result of white supremacist rhetoric, which has been significantly increased since the election in 2016.
Just two weeks ago in Fargo, hate speech made national headlines when a woman confronted and threatened three Muslim women. While the incident was resolved with forgiveness and grace, it left the community, particularly the immigrant community, on edge. Last weekend, we witnessed hate speech turn violent. Comments by some of our political leaders have made a tragic situation worse.
The mission of the High Plains Fair Housing Center is to strengthen communities and to ensure equal access to fair housing in the region through training, education, enforcement and advocacy. The Fair Housing Act, passed seven days after the death of Martin Luther King Jr., provides that everyone living in the United States have access to housing and neighborhoods, regardless of a person's religion, race, color, ability status, sex or ethnicity. It is from this legacy that the High Plains Fair Housing Center advocates for civil rights in all forms.
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." These words are as important today as when they were first spoken. In the last few months, we have seen many of our civil rights threatened by hate.
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High Plains Fair Housing Center is a founding member of North Dakota United Against Hate, along with the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition and the Afro American Development Association. We are a coalition of civil rights organizations, community-based groups, individuals, educators and anti-violence advocates who work to ensure a consistent and effective response to hate crimes and other related incidents of tension and violence in North Dakota.
Peaceful gatherings are happening around the state to stand in solidarity of the message of unity and love. In Grand Forks, an interfaith walk for unity and solidarity with Charlottesville will be held today (Saturday), beginning at Kanowski park at 3:30 p.m. Reject hate. Join us.
For more information on the task force or your fair housing rights: www.highplainsfhc.org .
Michelle Rydz is executive director of the High Plains Fair Housing Center.
