Crossposted on 43rd State Blues
I really enjoyed this special from Idaho public television.
Yeah, it was filled with disturbing stuff, but we knew that already.
Watch the full episode. See more Idaho Public Television Specials.
The joy came in the fact that these issues are being clearly discussed in an organized fashion that includes very recent and not-so-recent history. It is a counter to the multiple voices that keep telling me "I haven't witnessed any racism in my many years in Idaho."
I also enjoyed seeing several friends in the video. Special thanks to Representative Cherie Buckner-Webb, Pocatello activist Idaho Purce, and College of Western Idaho Speech and Debate stalwart Jazz Alexis, all of whom appear in the broadcast.
One of the most moving scenes in the show was that of the young woman -- a black high school student from Sandpoint, Idaho -- who's friend wrote in her yearbook:
Thank you so much for being the first black person I have ever met. Now I am less scared of them.
While unemployment in the Gem State remains at record levels, Idaho has lost hundreds of millions of dollars in economic development from businesses who don't want to move here.
Can you blame them?