SPOKANE, Wash – Lisa Gardner, the President of the NAACP Spokane branch, told NonStop Local that she wasn’t shocked by the racist harassment faced by the University of Utah’s Women’s Basketball team last Thursday.
“I was not surprised. I was absolutely disgusted by it,” Gardner said.
John Hammond, the Mayor of Coeur d’Alene, said in a press conference Wednesday that the racist attack is not a reflection on the region.
“This is an isolated incident,” Hammond said.
However, Gardner begs to differ.
“This happens all the time. All the time, you have people of color who come over to Idaho, and they’re subjected to that,” Gardner said.
Gardner added that it shouldn’t take an attack like this on a national stage for there to be action.
“It’s been happening in our region, year after year after year after year, and it took for them to be embarrassed by the NCAA in order for them to actually react to this systemic problem that’s been happening in the region,” Gardner said.
She told NonStop Local that she applauds Utah’s head coach Lynn Roberts for bringing this incident to light.
“I’m glad that it was brought to the news and brought to the forefront because, again, they need to see that this is happening all the time,” Gardner said.
However, Gardner said officials need to be more in tune with the community that was impacted by this racist attack.
“There’s an NAACP branch in Kootenai County. I did not hear them once say that they reached out to that chapter or that branch of the NAACP or any partnerships on what they can do, how they can educate themselves, and how they can move forward from incidents like this,” Gardner said.
She added that although officials may be outraged, Gardner is waiting for them to take action.
“Anyone can say that they condemn hate. What are you going to do about it? Let’s see the action behind it,” Gardner said.
Gardner offered a message of affirmation to Utah’s women’s basketball team.
“Keep your head up. It’s hard, but it has happened in this region, unfortunately. but keep striving. keep believing in yourself and keep doing what you’re doing.”
