Are you part of the solution? By RISSA WILLIAMS, to the Bismarck Tribune: Craig Cobb has called you a bunch of racists. What are you going to do about it? If he’s right, by my count he has given away two of his 12 plots to his “like-minded individuals,” sold one, and lives on one. Eight of you can go join them. For the rest of us, ask yourself how you feel about people from other cultures living in North Dakota, especially our Native brothers and sisters, who probably don’t much care to claim most of us. Two words: broken treaties. It’s not old news, it is racism, and if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. You’re Craig Cobb’s silent partner. Some of us are talking about a peaceful picnic and friendly fellowship in Leith on the Saturday before Labor Day. Non-denominational, informal, just showing up with kindness and letting the community know we’re here and we think they’re good people. I have been praying for Craig Cobb, when I’m not despising him. He is not one deranged man. He is a symbol for the divide in our country that so many of you profess to love. We can heal this little part of it, that has been invisible to the other 49 states for so long and now seems to send out so much bad news. I don’t know if Cobb’s heart will turn anytime soon, but I do know that talking about his plans opens an important conversation that we have been neglecting for far too long — long enough for him to think his community could happen here. If I’m wrong, welcome to Cobbsville. If I’m right, the good people I’ve known all my life — and the new friends I’ve met since coming home to North Dakota in 2008 — aren’t going to sit on their hands and let that happen. Hate can’t drive out hate. Only love can do that.
Posted on: Fri, 20 Sep 2013 14:00:14 +0000