​After Election Day, a wave of hate crimes against minorities

By Tom Bixby

tom@hpr1.com

Since the election, attacks on minorities have increased. By frequency: Muslims and people who look like they might be from the Middle East; LGBT people, especially transgender; African Americans; Jews; anyone who looks foreign and dresses distinctly. That’s nationwide; here in North Dakota, Native Americans are also at risk.

The abuse includes shouted insults, death threats, and physical attacks; and in schools, chanting “build the wall” and worse; racist graffiti, and forcefully removing hijabs and other head coverings.

What do you do when you see someone being mistreated or harassed? It isn’t always easy to decide, so we went online for guidance.

“While it is suddenly more virulent in the United States,” writes Paul Rauber in Sierra magazine, “similar waves of right-wing violence have taken place after the Brexit vote in Britain and the terror attacks in France...a young freelance artist and illustrator living in Paris, who goes by Maeril came up with this simple, non-confrontational approach…”

First, go to the person being harassed. Stand or sit beside her or him and say hello. “Try to appear calm, collected, and welcoming. IGNORE THE ATTACKER.”

Talk about something. “It can be anything--a movie you liked, the weather, saying you like something they wear and asking where they got it.”

Build the safe space: keep eye contact with the person under attack “and don’t acknowledge the attacker’s presence. If neither of you responds, the speaker will usually go away.”

Keep talking until the attacker leaves. Accompany the victim to a safe place if necessary. If they tell you they’re okay and just want to go, respect their wishes.

The British “Films for Action” is a page on Facebook with a video, “5 Ways to Disrupt Racism.” It’s similar to Maeril’s ideas, but also recommends filming the incident if it’s safe to do so, “and making sure the victim is taken care of after the incident,” said Rauber.

The Southern Poverty Law Center has collected hundreds of reports of harassment and intimidation since election day. It has a guide to responding to attacks, called “Speak Up.” It’s helpful, focuses on your safety as well as the victim’s.

If you argue with a stranger, it can turn into violence. It’s not always safe to intervene, so look around you: “Is the speaker with a group of people? Is the space deserted? Are you alone? Are children present?”

It may be safest to walk on by, giving the speaker a questioning glance. Sometimes that’s the best you can do, and sometimes it works.

If you say something, state your beliefs. “I find that language very bigoted. It offends me.” Or “I think it’s wrong to stereotype people.”

If the incident takes place in a business, leave and tell the managers why. “The man at the table next to mine kept using the N-word. It made me lose my appetite. Perhaps you should speak to him so you don’t lose more business.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center’s last recommendation is to report the incident to an advocacy group.

The Pride Collective and Community Center is at 1105 1st Ave S, Fargo, 218-287-8034, www.pridecollective.com

The City of Fargo’s Native American Commission, telephone 701-241-1474, meets the first Thursday of each month at 5:30 pm in the City Commission Room, 200 3rd St N, Fargo. Call Willard Yellow Bird's at 701-476-4116

North Dakota Human Rights Coalition, 701-239-9323, http://www.ndhrc.org

Centro Cultural, 1014 19th St S, Moorhead, 218-236-7318

F-M Black Lives Matter: On the right-hand side of their Facebook page, click on "Message Now," and they typically answer within an hour. https://www.facebook.com/BlackLivesMatterFM/

Or, if the incident is bad enough, 911 or the Fargo Police, (701) 235-4493. Don’t be afraid to call them. We have one of the best departments in the nation. They do all kinds of outreach and have good relationships with marginalized people and groups.

HPR would like to hear from you too. If you’ve witnessed a bad scene, call us or send us an email. 701-235-1553; cshagen@hpr1.com, sabrina@hpr1.com.

Happy Thanksgiving and we hope you never have to intervene in an ugly situation. Forewarned is forearmed and we hope you are.