Step it up indeed

This is in reply to Maya Brown’s letter of June 1 (“Step it up, Spokane”). I’m so saddened and disheartened about her experience living in Spokane. I thought I could say this is unusual here. Apparently it is not. Those of us who keep being ignorant about race issues need to help more. We truly need to step it up.

Two days later, an article titled “History lesson draws parent’s complaint” (June 3). Hello SR! It wasn’t the history lesson, it was the way it was done! I’m assuming the reporting was accurate but the idea of a teacher saying “we don’t need slaves anymore” is appalling and disgraceful. That, coupled with a vice-principal suggesting the girls could be separated (segregated) from the classroom, just puts the blame and responsibility on the victims.

I am a Spokane native and love this city. I truly wish we could be a non-racist city. I know there are confederate flags and I’m saddened people feel the need to display them. I truly hope they are a small minority that can’t see the wonderful things everyone of us brings to this community.

Frankly, these young ladies deserve better from all of us. Please listen to their stories and learn from their experiences. Fortunately, SPS has brought in a third party investigator. I hope that helps. Schools need to be at the top of their game when it comes to racial issues. They are, frankly, the front line of change.

Fortunately, as I write this, The Black Lens (June, 2021) reports Amber Dodd has been hired as the Spokesman-Review’s new racial equity reporter. While this is good news, I hope she’s ready to hit the ground running!

Beverly Gibb

Spokane