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