I CAN’T IGNORE the news. I want to, no, need to, know what’s happening on all levels from local to international. Perhaps it’s my innate curiosity or my journalism background that compels me to read and watch media reports. I feel an obligation, especially in these challenging times, to be as informed as possible.
What I’ve been hearing and reading from the federal government in Washington DC continues to concern me. Deeply. I can hardly believe the rhetoric, the hatred, the awfulness that is flowing like hot lava from fiery mouths upon this land.
The latest is the hatred directed by our president toward Somalis living in America, including some 80,000 in Minnesota. My community of Faribault is home to many Somali Americans. The president has singled out Somalis in Minnesota with his derogatory words and planned, targeted ICE raids here. I am proud of the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul and other leaders, including the Minneapolis police chief, for speaking up and standing strong for the Somali community during a Tuesday afternoon news conference. They recognize the threat to this specific demographic. And they value the Somalis who call Minnesota home.
“Who,” I ask, “will be next? Me, because my eyes are green?” Maybe he doesn’t care for green-eyed people. Or you? Because he doesn’t like something about you.
He certainly doesn’t care for journalists, especially female journalists. I realize a dislike of journalists is nothing new. But this president has gone well beyond “dislike” to outright meanness, bullying and name-calling. I never thought I would see the day when the leader of our country would chastise a reporter with “Quiet, piggy.” I never thought I would hear an American president call a reporter fat or terrible or ugly or any other adjective while hissing “fake news” at the media.
When the U.S. government launched a Media Bias page on the official White House website just days ago, I felt nothing short of outraged. This is the United States of America, where freedom of the press ought to mean something, where the media is independent of the government, where reporters have a right and a duty to accurately report the truth without fear of intimidation, public shaming, recrimination,… This newest tactic of naming a “Media Offender of the Week” ought to anger every single person in this country. I don’t care what side of the political aisle you sit on. This latest action speaks to censorship, to controlling the press, to propaganda, to anything but democracy.
I value freedom. I hope you do, too, enough to stand up for a free press, individual rights, freedom from fear, intimidation, oppression and all that threatens us. These are unprecedented times (yes, I recognize that may be an overused word, but it fits) in our country. I refuse to remain silent.
THOUGHTS?
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Thank you for speaking up and standing up! 🙏🏼
You’re welcome. I need to speak up and stand up.
“These are unprecedented times…” only because we haven’t seen their like in 50 years or longer. Think of the Red and Lavender Scares in the 1950s or the years before the Civil War as examples. The swearing and name calling and the rambling speeches look like age-related disinhibition. I’m afraid our Dear Leader is a fading old man who has surrounded himself with those who can’t or won’t face this fact. What really worries me going forward is not our Dear Leader but the ideologues he has been thoughtlessly enabling. People whose goals tend strongly toward fascism or nationalism or neo-Nazism or some flavor of theocracy. They’re no friends of democracy or the rule of law (or women or minorities or non-Christians or immigrants or journalists or …). And they’ll still be here when he’s gone. Some democracy-challenged political predators may already be scheming (quietly) to step in come 2028.
I fully agree with you. Even when his term ends, the fall-out continues in ideology, in people positioning themselves to take over, etc.
Audrey, I heard about this yesterday and immediately thought about you and your community in Minnesota. thank you for standing and speaking for them. they need us all right now to be loud in any way we can be. you have been a great champion for the Somali people and how much they have brought to your community. you have a wonderful governor and wonderful people in your state who will help to support them and they need every person, near and far right now to back them up and keep them all safe from the tentacles of this awful regime.
here we have been shopping for vulnerable latino and other targeted families, taking people to medical appointments, requesting video court appearances, and taking the children to school or having virtual school , so that families can stay in and stay safe as needed. churches are locking doors to keep people safe as well during services. we’ve organized community watch groups to warn people to stay in their homes when federal people are in the area. we also come out to be in the streets where the federal agents are when it is safe and there is a group. writers, such as yourself, publish in the papers about what is going on and when the community is active in word and action, it makes a difference.
I do what I can. Thank you for saying all of those kind things about Minnesota, Minnesotans and our state leadership. Thank you also for doing all you can in Michigan to support vulnerable Latinos and others who are targeted. Your compassion and care matter and make a difference.
Thank you for this powerful post. You show much courage during a harrowing time in our history.
You’re welcome, Beth. We MUST speak up!
Yes, they are more and more out of control. It seems the less popular they become the more dangerous they are. Take care.
Thank you, Michael. I WILL take care. I think you nailed it with “the less popular they become the more dangerous they are.”
Thank you for writing this. I feel more every day like I am living in 1930s Germany.
You are welcome, Angie. I understand exactly how you feel. Many times I’ve made the same comparison in my head. And then wondered why everyone in this country is not outraged, concerned, worried…
I have been thinking of you as I have been reading the news about Minnesota and am not surprised at this post. Totally 100% you to write this post today. You are invested in your community and in protecting the rights of everyone. I don’t have any words at this point. There is just nothing more I can say — so much does not make sense anymore and I just have to do what I can do and know that every little action or word does make a difference in the long run. I know this is a very important topic for you and I know you are standing strong and doing all you can do in your corner of the world.
We are doing what we can in Minnesota to support our Somali community. I understand why words fail you. I think many of us are at that point. But we press on, determined to stand up for what is right. Thank you for all you’ve done in your state in support of those targeted by ICE.
I am deeply saddened, disappointed, and concerned over the current state of affairs. You nailed it in your article on every level!!. Perhaps consider sending this somewhere to be printed in a publication. Targeting Somalis is just so wrong.
Thank you, Sue. And, yes, the horrible words and actions of our president toward Somalis are beyond despicable.
I truly love the land of Minnesota. My last trip was to Red Wig (certainly a far cry form open prairie Unfortunately, my sister and I arrived on the wrong date as they were closed. But we did make it all the way to the top of the hill to find it (- Goodhue County Historical Society.) As you watch the news today, I think you will find it interesting that ICE has arrested around 5,000 people who are involved in some criminal act. I watched a reporter Liz Collins I think on a you- tube video. (sorry Audrey – I gave up on the local paper when they had a particular line they wanted to sell about (of all things) Gun Control. Listen to the other side BEFORE you start drawing conclusions. I think Minnesota Nice is a great think but I am starting to believe that is (Minnesota Nice) for Minnesota Naive.
Gunny, I feel pretty well-informed and do NOT consider myself to be naive. Rather, I consider myself to be kind, compassionate and caring. When the leader of this country uses degrading, derogatory, hateful language toward an entire group of people (Somalis), then I am going to react as I have. I care about the many Somalis who call Minnesota, and my community, home. Many fled a war-torn country and are building a better life for themselves in America. They work hard, many at the local turkey processing plant, doing jobs most other Americans would not want to do.
We will have to choose to disagree on this topic as well as on gun control.
Minnesota Nice. All I seem to hear is “the sky is falling.” Love you Audrey – and your friends, – but if this mess isn’t cleaned up, our children and grand kids and future generations will be paying the price.
Yes, this country is in a bit of a mess right now, Gunny. I suspect your definition of “mess” is much different than mine, though.
My grandchildren, thankfully, are growing up in diverse neighborhoods. The two oldest are in an elementary school with a diverse population. My first grader grandson’s best friend, in fact, is a Somali girl. I love how kids don’t see color or ethnicity or anything other than a classmate and friend. My grandson’s friend is not “garbage,” as the president terms Somalis. She is a beautiful little girl who was born in America.
Well done, Audrey. I want to say I can’t believe this negative rhetoric is happening, but I’ve thought that before and it is happening in our day and age and in our country. Sigh.
Yes, one gigantic sigh.
Thank you for participating!
We need to speak up. To protest. To resist. To stand up for ourselves and our neighbors.