Was it especially surprising or simply a reminder that things are not always what they seem? I refer to the Journal’s account of Nik Shembitrasi, an Albanian native and longtime barber at Frank’s in the Oak Park Arms. Nik was apprehended outside his home in Elmwood Park last month. What becomes of him now is anybody’s guess, given ICE’s track record.
How did Nik’s name land on ICE’s list? ICE refuses to justify such arrests. Now notoriously so. The account of his time in this country corresponds with many other immigrant detainees: hard working, love of family, peaceful. Works in Oak Park. Lives in Elmwood Park. Each abundant with other hard-working, family-loving, peaceful residents. Like Nik.
So my opening question of “surprise” or “reminder” likely fits when a story like Nik’s hits close to home. After all, on most days one can go about their business in Oak Park or Elmwood Park, enjoying the now long hours of daylight, strolls in a park, dining out, a street fest, movies, music venues. Or simply kicking back in one’s backyard, or watching the world go by on one’s front stoop. Like we all once could casually do, easily conforming to a default status of “law abiding” people. But even if one wound up being “apprehended,” there would be a clearly stated charge. Legal representation would automatically be assured (since 1963 and Gideon v Wainwright). Guilt or innocence proven beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Now someone like Nik may never cut hair here or anywhere again. In spite of being an apparent asset to both Elmwood Park and Oak Park. So again, was his front page story a surprise or simply a reminder of no matter how beautiful a day might be, there is an ugly, dangerous, even deadly underbelly to any quotidian, mundane routines of life?
The chaos and cruelty foisted upon we the everyday people, will come to end eventually. It has to. The cracks in this radical agenda’s foundation are already showing. It will either implode from within or be demolished from without.
Perhaps soon enough to once again go to Frank’s and have Nik cut hair again.
Joe Harrington
Oak Park