Racists Give Great State A Bad Rap

Time and time again, Idaho is referred to as a haven for racists.

There are those who do seek the private wooded land in Idaho to live a life of hatred and bigotry, but most Idahoans despise racism.

One of the biggest things that has contributed recently to Idaho’s unearned reputation is the case of Randy Weaver and the conflict he had with the government.

Weaver ignored a weapons charge, which led to a stand-off between the Weaver family and federal agents. During the standoff, Weaver’s wife Vicki and son Sammy were killed. Federal Marshall Bill Degan also was killed.

There has been much discussion as to whether or not the situation was handled right. The incident at Ruby Ridge has been compared to the siege at Waco, has been a media circus and has given North Idaho a bad name.

Surely the first thing to come to one’s mind when Idaho is mentioned is racism. And, why shouldn’t people believe this to be true? South of Ruby Ridge, in Hayden Lake, is the Aryan capital of the United States.

Sure, Idaho does house the Aryan Nations, and yes, the Weavers were racists, too. But the truth is they aren’t even from Idaho. Weaver and his family moved to Idaho from Iowa and Richard Butler and his Aryan church are from California. They are transplants from other states and don’t represent the real people of Idaho.

I only hope people do realize that Idaho is not a state where only bigots live and only whites are welcome. Every other state has its share of racists, too. Idaho just gets stuck with the bad rap. It is a beautiful state in my eyes and it always will be.

It’s the racists who are ugly.