Embracing Our Differences At A Seminar On Racism At North Idaho College, Students Find How Appearance Can Alter Their Perceptions Of Others

On May 18, about 150 students from seven North Idaho high schools and from Spokane’s Medicine Wheel Academy came to North Idaho College for a seminar on racism.

They heard Seattle teenager Lee Anne Wang talk about her search for an identity in a mostly white culture. They heard Mayer Grashin, also of Seattle, talk about how strange it was growing up as an Orthodox Jew in Alaska. And they listened to Tara Dowd, a Native American teen from Spokane who changed clothes during her presentation to show how a person’s appearance can alter the perceptions of others.

The students watched a slide show that showed the influence of hate groups in our region, and were read the contents of a horribly racist bomb threat. Finally, they had a chance to meet in small groups to talk about diversity, tolerance and how they can make a difference.

Here are some of their thoughts:

Racism is a problem in our school and community. There is a mix of races, like in most places. We have Native Americans, whites and a few African Americans. Even though people say they are joking, they still make racist comments. There are many people who do not accept interracial relationships. If our society is going to survive, we need to learn to get along — we shouldn’t say people are bad or wrong because they believe or do things differently. Being different is good. If everybody was the same, the world would be boring. We would not have much to learn. — Krista Sperber, Lakeside High School

I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to have attended the anti-racism seminar. Lee Ann Wang told of how as a child other children made fun of her Taiwanese family and joked about their type of food. She told of how people treated her family as if they were inferior. She got a little emotional on the stage and I felt her pain and her embarrassment. I felt lucky that no one had ever poked fun at me in this harsh way.

When Tara Dowd came onto the stage in gangster clothing, I formed my own opinion about her based on her clothing. Later on in her speech, she took off her outer layer of clothing. I realized that my opinion of her was totally different from her real personality and dress style. I felt ashamed that I could have judged somebody so unconsciously. I did not even realize that I could have been so cruel and wrong. This really made me open up my eyes and think.

I have decided that I will not fade into the background if an act of racism is committed. I want to take a stand and fight to eliminate racism. — Jessi Turner, Priest River Lamanna High

The thing that really affected me was that we were the only dark-skinned people in the room and to see those slides hurt me a lot, because I live with it every day. The (bomb threat) letter didn’t offend me, but it brought tears to my eyes. — Tashina Cooley, Medicine Wheel Academy

I get really upset when I hear people talking bad about others just because they are not like them. I’m glad that I went to hear others tell stories about what has happened to them. When the speakers were talking about their lives, I almost wanted to cry. … I have several relatives who are racist. If I was to tell them we had a black kid in our school, they would most likely tell me to watch out because I might get hurt. Why does this always happen? Just because one person was like that doesn’t mean that everyone is. — Candace Paparazzo, Lakeside High

I heard different perspectives from a diverse forum of speakers. They spoke of visions of the future and brought up many good points. My favorite part was the slide show. It reminded me that these hate crimes happen on a large scale, even to white people. — Flora Limberhand, Medicine Wheel Academy

The way Tara Dowd changed her appearance created a big impact on me and many people I talked to. The speeches helped to open my eyes and become aware of the way we prejudge people either knowingly or unknowingly. — Rebecca Golden, Coeur d’Alene High School

I know how it feels to be treated like someone who doesn’t count. I was at a store to return something and I had a receipt to get my money back, but the lady I bought it from left the ink tag on, so they thought I stole it. At the same time, my sister, who has lighter skin than me, returned something and did not have to show identification. — Megan Lozeau, Medicine Wheel Academy

The pictures of children at Aryan rallies were not only disgusting, but heart-wrenching. I pray these children grew up to be adults who do not hate. To be adults who would break away from the vicious cycle that they were brought up in. I would like to thank those who put together the conference and those who spoke at it. You all opened the eyes of Idaho’s youth even wider about hate. We were able to see the effects of hate and we learned how we can prevent hate in school. With the skills that we learned at North Idaho College, we can erase hate. Not right away, but it can be done. — Tyler Kinnie, Priest River Lamanna High

At the anti-racism seminar, I happened to be walking behind a group of Native American girls. One girl said to her friends, “I feel so out of place, there are all of these Suyapi around.” For those of you who may not know, a Suyapi is a white person. Her friends turned around to talk to her and noticed me walking behind them. They thought it was really funny and started laughing. I am white. This group of girls gave me my first experience with racism.

A racism seminar by itself cannot accomplish anything. Seminars are, in my opinion, the first step in showing people how bad the problem of racism really is. One must honestly believe that changes need to be made in order for our world to become a better place. — Jenifer Moore, Lakeside High

I would like to express my appreciation to those three high school students who had the courage to get up and speak so openly. I really learned a lot at the seminar. It made me open my eyes, and gave me more of an open mind toward others. I also enjoyed when we went into groups and had discussions. It was awesome, and anyone who missed the seminar missed out on a lot. I would like to thank the people who made it possible for me to attend such a great thing and I look forward to it next year. — Yolanda Terres, Lakeside High School

SPEAKING OUT `Change the world one heart at a time’ By Sarah Biddle Coeur d’Alene High School

As slide after slide of hate personified flashed upon the wall, I saw the North Idaho that the rest of the world sees. The human rights forum opened my eyes to the incredible prejudice that is allowed to exist in my own back yard. But this prejudice is found not only in the Aryans we so vehemently disown, but in many of us in our community. I recently read a quote that said, “When someone tells a lie about you, live so no one will believe him.” We in North Idaho must show the rest of the world that the Aryan Nations they see in Time magazine is not who we are. But this change must begin in our hearts. One of the speakers at the forum said there are three types of people in the world. The first group is the victims, the ones who must suffer as the second group, the aggressors, must find a scapegoat for their own frustrations. Yet it is the last group that sits on the sidelines, watches, yet says nothing. It is you and I who have the capability to stop these inexcusable actions and stand up for what we know to be right. It is when we do nothing that the greatest tragedy occurs. What impacted me the most was the three speakers who were my age. Their strong words were backed by strong emotions, and I knew they believed in what they told us. Although each one had a different story, their overriding message was a challenge for us to find out who we are as individuals, take pride in who we are as individuals, and love and respect others for who they are as individuals. In a time when my generation is labeled as hopeless, it is obvious there is hope that we have the capability to rise up and change the world one heart at a time.