January 29, 2011 in Opinion, Letters

Racism thrives here

 

Spokane is a racist town – Anglocentric, de facto segregated and unrepentant. Upon our moving back from the South in 1974, a family friend and local Realtor responded to an observation that there were few blacks here by saying, “Yep, and that’s why I like it here.”

Two of 17 U.S. domestic terrorist events from 1990 to 1996 happened in Spokane, i.e., bombings by the white supremacist Phinneas Brotherhood. Before and since, cross burnings and other racial incidents have occurred.

Those in Spokane’s streets and neighborhoods tell of routine disrespect and abuse by local law enforcement, a timeless legacy of this town.

Indicators like The Spokesman-Review’s Business Beat photos and the makeup of large law firms and medical practices, not to mention school and government office staffs, measure current de facto segregation.

Remnants of our racist past remain, like the Four Lakes monument to Col. Wright’s defeat of the “gathered hostiles,” from the period when the imperialist U.S. Army massacred and hung area native peoples and raced the length of the Spokane River valley, burning food stocks, killing horses and destroying residences. Having stolen the land, we also stole their name – Spokane.

Spokane – a “nice town” – needs some serious soul-searching.

David A. Brookbank Jr.

Spokane Valley

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Five comments on this story so far. Add yours!

  • terryalan on January 29 at 9:00 a.m.

    You, sir are entitled to your opinion. I do not think it is fair to use isolated incidents from the past to label the present.

    Spokane in 1974 was a very different city than it is today, just as North Idaho is a very different place from the admittedly racist element of 1974…..please note: I said element….we always noted that any time there was a white supremest march or rally in Coeur d’Alene they were substantially outnumbered by the Human Rights marchers that inevitably gathered to counter protest. Thanks to a local parish priest, the counter racism folks were already to stand up and say NO to that in our community..

    You cite two bombings that occurred here in the ‘90s….is it really fair to indict the entire city for the actions of a few? It would seem to me, sir that that type of stereotyping is the foundation of bigotry

    Of course there are remnants of the racist past, although again, to point the finger at Spokane is unfair, as that time in history carried racism and discrimination. We know this…it’s called History and I would HOPE that remnants remain so that we can all remember the past and hopefully learn from it.

    It is a shame that for whatever reason you are so soured on this community. As a free citizen, you certainly have the option of leaving at any time. Either way, I would ask that you let go of YOUR bigotry against Spokane.

  • drb2010 on January 29 at 12:14 p.m.

    Well I read this and after much thought i decided to enter my bathroom and relieve myself of this cr@p.

  • mmspowaus on January 29 at 1:00 p.m.

    I lived in Detroit area and in the south for more than 10 years each David A. Brookbank Jr. and you are very much mistaken…

    I think you will find that the moron who did the MLK thingy was not from Spokane. Spokane is just the biggest city for 300 miles in any direction…..

  • mmspowaus on January 29 at 1:04 p.m.

    Also David A. Brookbank Jr, .it is ‘hanged’ not ‘hung’;

    http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2005/hanged-or-hung/

  • greenlibertarian on January 29 at 10:20 p.m.

    Brookbank white-flighted it from West Central to the Valley?

    Say it ain’t so, Joe!

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