What happened to the Utah women’s basketball team was truly terrible. According to members of the team who spoke to KSL.com, they were repeatedly subjected to racial slurs while entering and leaving a restaurant in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. It is clear that the person responsible for choosing a hotel in that town either lacked an understanding of its dark history of white supremacy or simply didn’t care.
Recently, Governor Brad Little, known for his controversial decisions, signed a highly controversial anti-DEI law, which has been viewed by many as a blatant appeal to extremists. Ironically, just a few posts later, he condemned the attacks on the Utah team, seemingly oblivious to the fact that laws like the one he signed only serve to fuel racism.
It is a fact that individuals with compassionate hearts and the ability to love and show decency can empathize with the experience of Black athletes and others on the team who were subjected to racial slurs multiple times while simply going about their lives. They were just trying to enjoy the Madness.
“We were all in a state of shock, exchanging bewildered glances, questioning whether we had truly heard what was said,” remarked Charmelle Green, the Utah deputy athletics director, who is Black, in an interview with KSL.com. “The cheerleaders, the students present in that vicinity, we all stood frozen in disbelief. We continued walking, shaking our heads, unable to comprehend the gravity of those words.”
It is true and valid to acknowledge the events that occurred in Idaho. However, it is a mistake to single out this state or its residents as being more racist than others. Let us not be the ones who condescendingly judge and say, “Look at those terrible people in Idaho. At least we’re not like them.”
Racism is universally condemned due to its inherent wrongness, regardless of location or time.
I cannot stress this enough: the situation is dire universally and consistently.
Hate is a pervasive force that knows no boundaries. It manifests itself in various forms, from the subtle to the overt, and exists in every corner of our nation. Like a contagious virus, it spreads relentlessly, infecting the hearts and minds of countless individuals. This malevolent presence is not confined to specific regions or demographics; it permeates our society and surrounds us at every turn. Its influence knows no borders and its impact is felt across the United States.
Every day, incidents like what occurred to the Utah team take place. However, in this particular case, it involved a prominent team participating in a highly publicized event, the tournament. It is crucial to note that similar, if not worse, experiences happen to individuals who are not college athletes, and unfortunately, these incidents often go unreported or unnoticed.
The pain suffered by the Utah team is real and stinging, and it is important to acknowledge their experiences. However, it is worth noting that what happened to them is a reflection of the very American nature of their situation.
Everywhere you look, the evidence of this is undeniable. Take Pittsburgh, for example, where a white supremacist committed a heinous act by targeting and killing Jewish worshippers. Similarly, in Buffalo, another white supremacist took innocent lives when they targeted and murdered Black grocery shoppers. South Carolina saw the same kind of hatred, as a white supremacist entered a place of worship and mercilessly killed Black worshippers. And let’s not forget Texas, where a white supremacist showed no remorse as they gunned down Latino shoppers in a Walmart. These incidents didn’t occur in some remote, isolated pockets of the country; they happened in various corners of our nation.
Large portions of the United States are experiencing a sundown phenomenon. Recently, the NAACP has taken the step of issuing a travel advisory specifically for the state of Florida, encompassing the entire state.
On Monday, Utah’s coach, Lynne Roberts, expressed her deep concern over the incident.
“It’s incredibly disheartening for all of us,” she expressed. “In our world, whether it’s athletics or university settings, it’s truly shocking. College campuses are known for their diversity, so encountering such incidents is quite rare. But when it does happen, it leaves people in disbelief. However, racism is a harsh reality that exists and it’s truly terrible.”
“It was incredibly distressing to witness the lack of understanding and appropriate response from individuals involved, regardless of their race. It is deeply disheartening that our players and staff did not feel secure within the setting of the NCAA Tournament.”
Roberts’ words carry great significance and offer valuable insights. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that Black students encounter racism not only in predominantly white institutions (PWIs) but also in various other settings. No place is immune to this issue. In fact, in 2021, the Justice Department strongly condemned an entire Utah school district for its long-standing neglect of the countless instances where Black students were subjected to derogatory slurs, including being called slaves and the N-word, as well as facing threats of lynching.
Lessons can be learned from the unfortunate experiences shared here, and while they may not be pleasant, they are undeniably evident. Instances of racism can be found in various parts of the country, including regions like this particular area in Idaho. However, what the Utah team encountered is not exclusive to one location but rather a widespread issue that continues to persist.
The Utah women’s basketball team experienced a truly horrific and unfortunately all too common incident.
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