State senator’s claims of a racism-free Idaho clash with reality
Commentary by Becky Tallent | FāVS News
It would be lovely if racism did not exist in Idaho, as claimed by state Sen. Dan Foreman, R-Viola, last month.
However, Idahoans of color say they are frequently the targets of both intentional and unintentional racism. Statistics also paint a very different picture from Foreman’s comments.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports Idaho is 80.7% white, followed by 13.5% Hispanic. Other races listed in the state are 2.2% multiracial, 1.5% Asian, 1% American Indian/Alaska Native, .8% Black and .2% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.
Hate crimes statistics in 2022 from the U.S. Justice Department show 70% of the hate crimes reported in Idaho that year were against a person’s race, ethnicity or ancestry. Coming in second were crimes against a person’s religion.
While the actual numbers may seem small — 28 cases in 2022 and 29 in 2021 — these are the reported cases. It is unknown exactly how many cases of racism are occurring because they are not reported to law enforcement. Often, people do not report the event out of fear of reprisal or believing no one will do anything.
Some people may think racism only applies African Americans, a very tiny population here. Reality is: Racism applies to any non-white group of people.
When I came to Idaho in 2006, several of my family members said they did not want me to move, that Idaho was “too scary” for a person of color. While I can “pass” as white, a close look shows I do have Indigenous characteristics, possibly leaving me open to racist attacks. People here told me to avoid certain places in the state.
Some racism can be less obvious
Racism is real, not just in actions such as a physical attack, but also in language. Yes, using the “n” word toward an African American or the “s” word at an Indigenous person are obvious. There are less obvious words as well.
Offensive words and phrases include “uppity,” “No way Jose,” “Indian giver,” “peanut gallery, “cake walk,” “long time, no see,” and “moron.” There are many more, all of which originated in a racist ideology.
Also insulting to Indigenous people is when someone argues they are a “Native American” because they were born here. Since 1975 “Native American” has been the term for Indigenous people of the U.S. to help distinguish them from the Asians of India.
Unknown to many is that racism comes in two forms. All racism is rooted in white supremacy ideology, which obviously seeks to maintain superiority over non-white groups. Overt racism works by using open action (legislation, physical threats). Covert racism is more subtle, it usually works by claiming “plausible deniability” and gaslighting their victims by denying the actions were racist.
In the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) Tribe’s response to Foreman, condemning his “go back to where you came from” statement to a tribal member, the leaders said they refuse to tolerate “this kind of hateful and divisive politics” and asked others to push back against this type of behavior.
Getting to know one’s neighbors can lessen racism
Tribal leaders noted Idaho has an amazing diversity of people who deserve respect. They are right to say people should get to know their neighbors to prevent ignorance created by racism.
Between the tribe and the state’s GOP leader, who backed Foreman’s position, the tribe is right: Idahoans need to fight racism and its ensuing hate. The way one can do that is by getting to know people who do not look like the majority and stop using racist words and phrases.
Scary as it sounds, this means seriously seeking out people with the intent to honestly open a dialogue for greater understanding.
While the current state senator may call this column “liberal bull—-,” reality is Idaho has a reputation as a racist state, primarily stemming from things like the Klu Klux Klan’s Boise rallies in the early 20th century and the white supremist compound outside Coeur d’Alene in 2000, along with the previously mentioned statistics.
If state leaders really want Idaho to be great, eliminating that racist image by bringing people of different backgrounds coming together, encouraging change would be a good place to start.
The views expressed in this opinion column are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of FāVS News. FāVS News values diverse perspectives and thoughtful analysis on matters of faith and spirituality.
I’m so glad you brought up “No way Jose.” I hear it a lot, even still, and don’t think people realize what it means.
Thanks Tracy! A lot of this column stems from Dan Foreman’s comments, but also from someone calling me “uppity” recently. They had no clue it was a racist term.
Becky, you bring up some phrases I had no idea were based on racist ideologies. I’ll do some closer research for my own benefit. I knew about “uppity” but not “no way, Jose”, for example. (I thought it was just a silly poetic effort. Used to use it myself).
Thanks for this reality check, Becky. Since its very foundation, Idaho has been racist. And consider how it drove out the Chinese who once thrived here. It’s such an embarrasment to have Foreman as our representative.
Thanks Walter! Yes, and that reputation is well known outside the state. How anyone can say otherwise baffles me.
I appreciate Becky offering specific solutions for ppl to learn to be less racist. Here’s to hoping Foreman reads it. I find a political “representative” unable to empathize with constituents or analyze facts problematic.
Thank you Janet. As much as I agree with you, I seriously doubt Sem. Foreman will read it as it goes against his own ideals. A shame, really.
Thank you, Becky, for your stand-up statement to Dan Foreman’s foolishness! Living in Sandpoint, District 1, I can’t vote in your district; but if I could, I certainly would ‘t waste a vote on him.
Thank you, Paul. It is difficult living in his district just because he ignores anyone who is not 100% in agreement with him. A sad state of political affairs. As to your comment above, please do check why some phrases are racist, it is eye-opening.
I grew up in Bonners Ferry. I worked at the Deep Creek Restaurant and Motel, fished in Deep Creek and Ruby Creek and picked huckleberries on Ruby Ridge.
I called a classmate of mine, then Sheriff, during the Ruby Ridge standoff and asked “Who are these people in the news?” None were local. They had been bussed in by Butler, the majority from out of state, Utah, and Wisconsin.
My assumption is that many racist have migrated to Idaho because of the false media narrative. The media is fast to report on the Northwest as the “Great American Redoubt”. To give emphasis to the “White Nationalists”. When the minority is made prominent, the majority looks weak.
Talking to people from other parts of the country, they DO think we are all racist.
Where do we find racism? in every facet of society. When we expose it as “more prevalent” in one area, it will attract the element we do not want.
Thank you for not just pointing out the negative (yes, it needs to be exposed), but promoting the positive, getting to know the “other”.
I was in the Navy in 1972. I had just arrived on my ship, had my duty changed for the 3rd time and asked a shipmate “Who is my new boss?” He told me to just call him “beaner”. I did.
Fortunately, he asked who told me that and accepted my plea of total ignorance. We became friends. Even your list of phrases had new ones for me.
But I do want to push back on “All racism is rooted in white supremacy ideology.” My wives, 1st and current, are Filipina. There is strong resentment between regions, dialects, education, culture, mestizo and, of course, other Asians. And this tribalism existed before the Spanish arrived. Wars, from the beginning of time, have been fought over differences.
I see race, religion, ideals, tribes, differences all in the same bundle and the solution is the same: we need to get to know the “other” better.