We’re all responsible for helping fight hate in Alaska

Like our country, our local communities are experiencing profound challenges: deep polarization in our politics that has led to an upsurge in bias and bigotry. These problems are directly connected with the actions of elected officials, who can choose to model a spirit of respect and thoughtfulness or choose to further divide with their words and actions.

Last week, we saw what is unfortunately becoming more frequent in our public discourse. In the heat of an intense public debate around COVID-19 health guidelines, members of the public, with Mayor Dave Bronson of Anchorage’s approval, appropriated the yellow Star of David to make a point about freedom.

Comments like these are, unfortunately, becoming more common in Alaska and nationwide. Whether it’s encouraging anti-vaccine protestors to wear a yellow Star of David or comparing public health mandates meant to save lives to the Holocaust, it is never acceptable to leverage one of the worst tragedies in human history to make a political point.

The Holocaust will forever be remembered as one of the most horrific events of the 20th century, which resulted in the systematic murder of six million Jews and millions of others. When elected officials compare vaccine or mask mandates aimed at ending the COVID-19 pandemic to Nazi Germany, it trivializes the Holocaust and diminishes victims and survivors. Insensitive political discourse like this also distracts society from one of our most pressing problems: addressing the root causes of hatred so it never goes unchecked.

The reaction from the public to these inflammatory statements illustrates how words matter. When elected officials publicly engage in insensitive dialogue, it can further stoke the steep rise of hate already plaguing so many of our communities. We appreciate Mayor Bronson’s apology and encourage further action, including outreach to affected communities and the adoption of stronger policies addressing antisemitism and all forms of racism and hate.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, elected officials spewed misinformation and hateful speech and violence ensued against the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Violence included physical assaults, verbal abuse, spitting, refusal of service and online hate. There is a direct correlation between insensitive and hateful speech by elected leaders and the proliferation of hate. Words have consequences.

Sadly, this is a moment in history where acts of hate are skyrocketing against too many. The Jewish community, for example, comprises 2% of the U.S. population — yet, according to the most recent FBI report, Jews were the targets of 57.5% of all religion-based crimes in the U.S. last year. This is all the more reason to honor history and ensure the moniker “Never Again” is not politicized but used to educate and act against intolerance.

The responsibility of creating a civil society is not just the job of elected officials, it’s a collective responsibility. It’s not enough to simply call out irresponsible rhetoric; we must work together to ensure that the next generation has the education needed to honor history and act with compassion. The Holocaust serves as a reminder of one of the most horrific events in human history but is also a powerful teaching tool to ensure a society in which all are treated with dignity.

We know that education is the best antidote to hate, which is why we stand ready to help leaders in Alaska take an important step forward in the fight against hate and bigotry by facilitating Holocaust and genocide education in Alaskan schools. An act of hate against one group is an act of hate against all and through the study of history, we can work to create a more inclusive society not just for the Jewish community, but for the Native Alaskan, LGBTQ, Black, immigrant communities, and all of our communities.

Mara Kimmel and Robin Dern, both residents of the Municipality of Anchorage, serve on the Anti-Defamation League’s Pacific Northwest Advisory Board. Miri Cypers is the ADL’s Regional Director for its Pacific Northwest office. Kimmel is a former lawyer who has been engaged in social justice work for several decades; she is married to former Anchorage mayor Ethan Berkowitz. Dern is a longtime member and former executive director of Congregation Beth Sholom.

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