In It Together: A Conversation About Race Context Vital For Continuing Conversation About Racism
We who live here don’t think of the Inland Northwest as a haven for racists, white separatists and others who hate.
Like all communities, we have a small minority who feed on hate and try to divide people on the basis of skin color or ethnicity.
This is not where most people living here would want to begin a conversation about race.
Still, the few in our midst who turn racial hate and fear into a religion or political statement get plenty of attention.
Travel to a distant city today, and people often peg the Inland Northwest as nothing more than the home of Randy Weaver, the Aryan Nations, and the site of any number of crimes committed by various separatist movements.
These events were real, newsworthy and needed to be covered.
On July 18, these few again will try to make a statement when the Aryan Nations church plans to march in downtown Coeur d’Alene.
They have a right to a parade. That right is guaranteed under the First Amendment. But those who disagree with their message have a right and a responsibility to offer a different message.
The Spokesman-Review wants to help the mainstream find its voice to discuss issues of race.
The paper today begins a series of articles focused on how mainstream organizations are trying to constructively cope with prejudice, hate and perceptions that the Inland Northwest is a sanctuary for racists.
The series begins by telling the story of an unlikely coalition of Christian churches that has worked for months to draft a Covenant of Mutual Respect for people who live in the region. Their concerns about racial discrimination began before the march was announced and extend beyond the Aryan Nations.
At North Idaho College a few days ago, The Spokesman-Review organized a high school forum to discuss freedom of speech, tolerance and racism. More than 700 students took part.
Other forums are planned in the next few weeks for business and political leaders.
In all the upcoming news stories, commentaries and public forums, the newspaper will strive to accurately and fairly reflect the broad range of authentic conversations taking place about race, hate groups and related issues in our region.
The Spokesman-Review believes it has a responsibility to report on these constructive responses as well as report on the July 18 march. This reporting effort is intended to provide the context readers need to cope with what has become a defining issue for our region.
We hope you will stay with us during this conversation. We’re in it together.