Lake City Not As White As PBS Thinks

Idaho’s population is becoming more diverse all the time, but often, the national perception of the state doesn’t reflect that reality. The new Public Broadcasting Service series, “America by the Numbers,” recently aired an episode titled “Our Private Idaho,” which focuses on the “white” factor of Coeur d’Alene. It presents Coeur d’Alene as “a haven for white conservatives,” a city that is “still haunted by a history of extreme racism” and a “postcard picture of small-town America as it used to be — mostly white.” Coeur d’Alene resident and founder of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations Tony Stewart (pictured) shared his opinion Saturday about how the series portrays Idaho and how the demographic shifts that are presently occurring reflect the changing populous of the Gem State/ Devin Heilman , Coeur d’Alene Press. More here . (SR file photo: Jesse Tinsley)