2008 Woodie Awards
This isn't New York City
FREDERICK AREHART
Opinion Writer
Issue date: 4/2/07 Section: Opinion
I really didn’t want to write about oppressive stereotypes, but the statements made by Kimberly Moore (from New York City), the new Director of the Idaho Black History Museum concerning Civil Rights in Idaho, just cannot pass without comment.
Many noted that Rev. Jesse Jackson had erroneously asserted that, like the University of Oklahoma, in 1955 African Americans were not allowed to play in Boise City College athletics. In his defense, Moore was quoted as stating that the remarks “...speak to the overall stereotype and its whole shadow of racism and bigotry that Idaho is under.”
Say what? What has this got to do with bad speech writers?
She then went on to say, “This should serve as a wake-up call to the city and to the state that they have to change that image; they have to proactively seek diversity.”
I suggest Moore start with herself in changing that image. Racial quotas and social imperialism are not signs of high culture. There are many parts of NYC culture that we are much better off not having.
It is perplexing that someone who is working in such a high profile position could so misunderstand the people of Idaho.
We want people to move to Idaho because they like the land, the people and the culture - not because they feel we need to be saved from any perceived social deficiency.
Boise State’s Fiesta Bowl football team was much more diverse than was Oklahoma’s.
Diversity, is lost if every city or state has the same demographic and philosophical bent. We would all be dully homogenous.
Idaho does not need to be cleansed by the solicitous, cultural colonialism of people who somehow feel that we are desperately in need of their “superior” societal views.
Although not perfect, Idaho has a pretty good record of promoting the concept that one’s skin color, ethnicity or nationality does not determine personality, intelligence or civil rights. That tiny cesspool Aryan Nations compound in the panhandle that we all loathed was the exception that proved the rule. Despite widespread disgust, their rights were respected.
We want people to move to Idaho because they like the land, the people and culture already here. Diversity, Ms. Moore, does not mean a cookie cutter approach to racial percentages or Balkanized culture. It’s about a rational state of mind. Idaho is a special place and as more people come, we don’t want to lose that quality.
Our lifestyles and voting patterns are very diverse from your NYC. Most of us think our diversity from the New York Cities of the world is good. Our diversity from the mega cities should be respected, not oppressed.
If nothing else, Idaho is a state of independent thinkers who believe everyone should be treated equally and be able to pursue happiness with vigor.
We want people in other states to respect us, but not to steal our cultural soul. Work with us to educate others about this real Idaho.
Many noted that Rev. Jesse Jackson had erroneously asserted that, like the University of Oklahoma, in 1955 African Americans were not allowed to play in Boise City College athletics. In his defense, Moore was quoted as stating that the remarks “...speak to the overall stereotype and its whole shadow of racism and bigotry that Idaho is under.”
Say what? What has this got to do with bad speech writers?
She then went on to say, “This should serve as a wake-up call to the city and to the state that they have to change that image; they have to proactively seek diversity.”
I suggest Moore start with herself in changing that image. Racial quotas and social imperialism are not signs of high culture. There are many parts of NYC culture that we are much better off not having.
It is perplexing that someone who is working in such a high profile position could so misunderstand the people of Idaho.
We want people to move to Idaho because they like the land, the people and the culture - not because they feel we need to be saved from any perceived social deficiency.
Boise State’s Fiesta Bowl football team was much more diverse than was Oklahoma’s.
Diversity, is lost if every city or state has the same demographic and philosophical bent. We would all be dully homogenous.
Idaho does not need to be cleansed by the solicitous, cultural colonialism of people who somehow feel that we are desperately in need of their “superior” societal views.
Although not perfect, Idaho has a pretty good record of promoting the concept that one’s skin color, ethnicity or nationality does not determine personality, intelligence or civil rights. That tiny cesspool Aryan Nations compound in the panhandle that we all loathed was the exception that proved the rule. Despite widespread disgust, their rights were respected.
We want people to move to Idaho because they like the land, the people and culture already here. Diversity, Ms. Moore, does not mean a cookie cutter approach to racial percentages or Balkanized culture. It’s about a rational state of mind. Idaho is a special place and as more people come, we don’t want to lose that quality.
Our lifestyles and voting patterns are very diverse from your NYC. Most of us think our diversity from the New York Cities of the world is good. Our diversity from the mega cities should be respected, not oppressed.
If nothing else, Idaho is a state of independent thinkers who believe everyone should be treated equally and be able to pursue happiness with vigor.
We want people in other states to respect us, but not to steal our cultural soul. Work with us to educate others about this real Idaho.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
brownsurprise
posted 4/02/07 @ 3:18 AM MST
educating others about the "real Idaho" first involves changing ideals that people currently hold true. Before i moved to Idaho it was a place for white supremacists. (Continued…)
Clem Poston
posted 4/02/07 @ 7:23 AM MST
"Diverse thought stems from a diverse group of people. "
One of the biggest lies that has ever been told. Diverse thought comes from free thought. Free thought promotes free people and free people promote free societies. (Continued…)
brownsurprise
posted 4/02/07 @ 10:36 AM MST
^^^"The only time diversity means what is is intended to mean, is when the population majority seeks it, not the other way around."^^^
Obviously! this is the United States and things operate by majority rule. (Continued…)
Jbgo
jbgo
posted 4/03/07 @ 10:29 AM MST
"Let's start addressing the real problems before another racist moves to idaho because people like Fredrick Arehart think "white idaho" is as diverse as it needs to be. (Continued…)
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