Racism reflected on North Idaho

Once again, we made national news for a pathetic incident of racism. Last week in downtown Coeur d’Alene, a couple of drivers in lifted pick-up trucks (one displaying a Confederate flag) harassed the University of Utah’s women basketball team with mean racial slurs. What should’ve been a joyful experience for these athletes right before one of the biggest NCAA games of their lives, instead became unforgettable for the wrong reason. Their athletic director described the girls as being “petrified” by the display of hatred toward them.

This incident casts a very ugly shadow on North Idaho. It's shameful that our lawmakers in Boise had a hard time passing a resolution condemning the harassment with several ignorant lawmakers suggesting it was a “hoax.” As a local, who participated in protests here in Sandpoint against the murder of George Floyd, I experienced first-hand insults from guys in revved-up trucks with Trump signs. This MAGA base of white supremacists is reminiscent of the 1960s when my husband played football at the University of Kentucky on the first SEC team to have any black players. They too had some frightening experiences when visiting other colleges for games. Pressing through the ugliness of white supremacy took courage on the whole team’s part then, as it does now.

While the FBI with the Coeur d'Alene Police reviews the traffic video for pressing malicious harassment charges against these jerks, the good people of our area can help foster healing for the Utah athletes and coaching staff by sending a caring postcard to this address: Univ. of Utah Basketball, Coach Lynne Roberts, 1825 E. South Campus Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84112

REBECCA HOLLAND

Sandpoint