By DAN FAGAN
Too many believe our nation is fundamentally unfair, oppressive to minorities, and raging with racial injustice. That belief was on full display as hundreds gathered for a March on Alaska rally at Town Square in Anchorage on Monday.
Speakers complained repeatedly about America’s embedded systematic and structural racism. Even race baiting and hard Leftist politician Mayor Ethan Berkowitz got in on the act.
“In this community, as we seek to overcome structural racism, we are doing things to dismantle. We are putting forward an office of equity and justice so that every day there will be an opportunity for someone to get up and make right the wrongs that have for too long festered,” said Berkowitz.
Based on those speaking at the rally, if this were your first day in Anchorage, you’d get the impression the city was rife with racial tension and full of backward bigots.
“I see racism every day in Anchorage. It’s so real. It doesn’t look like how it looks in the Lower-48 but that doesn’t mean it’s any less not real. It’s here,” said community activist Jasmin Smith.
It’s true we often find what we look for. If we look for a racist under every bush, we’ll eventually find one.
What would an “Anchorage is a racist town” rally be without some old fashion leftist virtue signaling from race-baiting politicians?
“For as long as I am chair of this Assembly, we will continue working together in solidarity to fight systemic racism, said Assemblyman Felix Rivera.
But where is this systematic racism Berkowitz and Rivera want to change? Where, codified in any federal, state, or city law, is there preferential treatment based on race. It doesn’t exist. Systematic racism is a term the Left and their lapdogs in the media have repeated so often, it’s become accepted as reality.
The woke Labor Day rally also featured Matt Schultz, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Anchorage. Shultz, who often writes columns for the Anchorage Daily News, is a man of the Left. He told the crowd those opposing their movement also oppose Jesus.
“If you speak out against that struggle you speak out against the very gospel of our lord,” said Shultz.
Who knew Jesus was a grievance minded, victim producing, wealth redistributive, socialist?
I had Schultz on my show once and asked him about abortion. He refused to take a stand. Typical of Leftists. Even if they claim to be Christians, their Leftism trumps their religion.
Kevin Magee, President of the local NAACP read a long speech full of Leftist talking points about voodoo economics and the other Democrat causes. Magee compared President Donald Trump to former segregationist and Democrat governor of Alabama, the late George Wallace. He also quoted former South African Bishop Desmond Tutu, a man with strong ties to Communism.
Speaking of Communism, speakers at Monday’s rally often called for that old Marxist adage, equality for all.
“We need equality for everyone,” said Alaska Black Caucus President Celeste Hodge Growden.
But Hodge Growden should realize equality for all, while grandiose sounding, is impossible without stripping us of our freedoms.
People make different choices resulting in varying consequences. Typically, bad choices bring poverty and good choices bring wealth. Unless you take the wealth produced by those making wise choices and give it to those making poor choices, equality for all is unattainable.
Oh wait, that’s what Democrats are all about. Wealth redistribution.
Equality of opportunity on the other hand is a laudable goal. The sense that everyone has a shot at the American dream. And they do if they work hard and smart and take risks. Equality of opportunity flourishes when government oversight diminishes, and the free market can do its thing.
Many of those cheering on speakers spewing their distortions during the Leftist lollapalooza in the heart of downtown Anchorage Monday were most likely unaware most of it was spin and did not represent reality. In fact, most of the speakers probably didn’t realize what they believe to be true and were promoting isn’t.
It’s a shame so many believe America, Alaska, and Anchorage are deeply racist places. They are not. The opposite is true.
And it’s a destructive lie. If people believe they can’t compete and succeed because of the color of their skin, it breeds hopelessness. The race-baiting leaders and politicians are breeding hopelessness, whether they realize it or not.
Dan Fagan hosts a radio show weekday mornings on Newsradio 650 KENI.
