RACISM: One local’s perspective

It sure gets tiresome listening to how racist and evil white people are. I was born and raised here. We moved out to Hayden when I was about 12. There was a group called the Aryan Nations. Me and my best friend would go by their long gravel driveway and spin donuts on our motorcycles until we would see them coming down the driveway. We would take off laughing at them. Why? Because they were a joke and everybody knew that.

After years of just existing on that compound, which was run by Richard Butler, they finally evaporated (Butler died). Not one time in all my years, young or old, have I been a part of or even heard of people talking about going out to look for blacks. NEVER. Matter of fact when a new kid would come to school, we would if anything be overly friendly. We wanted them to know just because Butler’s clan used to live here, that did not represent the people of this town.

I like so many I grew up with and know today agree. Respect and how you carry yourself is what matters. Your character, not your skin tone is what matters.

So forgive me if I get a little upset hearing how if you’re white, you’re racist. Simply not true. That is what I would call racist. Don’t judge me because of my skin color, judge me on how I conduct myself.

TROY BRANTLEY

Post Falls