In 1985 I worked as a deck hand on the FV Lucky Lyndy in Bristol Bay Alaska. It was a summer of thrills and adventure and a 77,000 lbs catch of Red Salmon. At the end of the season I had a conversation with a native Alaskan fisherman named “Walt” that has been on my mind since that action packed summer. Walt had been fishing in Bristol Bay since 1947, in those days the fishing was done from small two man sail boats. Walt could not understand why we (white men) were willing to risk killing the Salmon that return every year to drill for oil that will never come back….when it is gone, it is gone. If we spill the oil and kill the salmon we end up with nothing. Why would we risk lifetimes of food for a few years of oil? “I don’t understand white men” Walt said. I had to confess I didn’t either.
Twenty seven years have passed since that day I sat on the dock at Pilot Point with Walt. I wish I could have another talk with Walt today. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that seem endless, mass killings in schools, profit before everything, greed, hate and the circus of the current Presidential election have exposed the motives of the white men that are running things. I finally understand white men. Sorry Walt.
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