Respect and empathy — two words rising from recent events
- Kate Troll
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
By Kate Troll
Respect is the first word that emerges for me when looking back at the 7 million plus Americans that peacefully protested in the No Kings rally on Oct. 18. As I watched the clips from small town events to the massive turnout in New York city, my heart swelled with seeing Americans of all ages, of all walks of life, of all color, respectfully marching to the tune of our democracy.
While the media coverage was overwhelmingly positive there was one critical comment that got me thinking.
New York Times columnist David Brooks made a compelling case that while the No Kings protest was definitely pro-America, there was no coherent vision that would unify all the messages that protesters were rightfully raising.
Here again the word "respect" surfaces. RESPECT is the vision that could unify the No Kings movement.
R – Regard the Rule of Law for All
E – Encourage Education at All Levels
S – Seek Safe, Secure, Sustainable Communities
P - Promote Prosperity for Working Families
E – Exercise Fair Elections
C- Cherish the Constitution; Care for Affordable Health Care
T – Tax Billionaires
Respect our neighbors, our immigrants, our allies, our freedoms. I can see red, white and blue baseball caps with the word RESPECT emblazoned across the front as the perfect counter to red MAGA hats. Additionally, I would love to see the next No Kings protest be a RESPECT Rally to be held on Jan. 6.
The next word that surfaces for me as I read about SNAP benefits being sidelined as a result of the shutdown is “empathy”. Rather than show some empathy toward the working poor who are the ones caught in the current political crosshairs, the Trump administration is choosing to remain defiant, even challenging two federal court rulings to use appropriated emergency funds to keep SNAP benefits flowing.
As noted in a report by Anchorage Daily News reporter, Iris Samuels, “Amid the shutdown, President Donald Trump has refused to use federal emergency funds to keep aid flowing during the month of November to the more than 40 million Americans who rely on the program for food. That number includes more than 66,000 Alaskans.”
While “empathy” apparently alludes the Trump administration, it thankfully still registers with Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Alaska’s legislative leaders. Senate President Gary Stevens, a Kodiak Republican, said in a statement shared by the governor’s office: “Alaskans shouldn’t have to worry about how they’ll feed their families because of a federal stalemate.” Concurring with this sentiment, Dunleavy is diverting $10 million from water and wastewater infrastructure projects to provide some relief for SNAP recipients in Alaska. Dunleavy notes, “The idea was we do our best to try and pick it up until the federal government got its vote on this and things get back to normal.”
While I have many differences with Gov. Dunleavy, I do respect the empathy he has shown in declaring a state disaster to provide food aid during these difficult times. Respect and empathy are virtues we need to see more of. Thank you Gov. Dunleavy for your leadership on food aid for Alaskans.
• Kate Troll, a longtime Alaskan, has more than 25 years of experience in coastal management, fisheries and energy policy and is a former executive director for United Fishermen of Alaska and the Alaska Conservation Voters. She’s been elected to local office twice, written two books and resides in Juneau.
