In 2014, Jessica Samuels, University of Idaho academic success counselor, had just moved into a tiny apartment in Moscow to start her job with UI.
Her apartment didn”t offer laundry so she went to a local laundromat to wash her children”s clothes. Although she grew up in Idaho and had experienced racial threats before, her trip to the laundromat surprised her.
“I was standing there folding the clothes and doing whatever,” Samuels said at a Black Lives Matter workshop Thursday. “This man had to go around the washing machines to get to the dryer because I was standing there folding clothes.”
Samuels said the man grew increasingly agitated as he repeatedly walked around her.
“It didn”t really hit me it was a race thing,” she said.
Finally, he slammed the dryer door, hit his head against the wall, yelled racial profanities and threatened to shoot black people moving into Moscow, Samuels said.
“We will have gained progress when I can go down here to the laundromat and not be threatened to be shot when I”m doing my four children”s laundry,” Samuels said.
Sam Raymond, a UI student, was at the laundromat that day. He said not interfering in the confrontation made him feel the guiltiest he has in a decade.
“I had the chance to at least stand up and say something. Instead, I sat there and read my book. I knew it was wrong,” Raymond said. “I think about it two or three times a month still.”
Samuels was one of four panelists who shared their experiences and answered questions about the Black Lives Matter movement Thursday.
One topic of concern was how to involve allies and how allies should join the movement.
“One of the biggest responsibilities for white allies is to talk to other white people,” said Kristin Haltinner, UI sociology professor. “You”re going to be uncomfortable and it”s important to break through the discomfort.”
UI student Isaiah Qualls said as a white Idahoan, the Black Lives Matter movement should matter to other white Idahoans because the U.S. was founded off racial principles.
“In many ways, we have built systems that favor white,” Qualls said. “If you”re not willing to check your privilege and work on ways to end that privilege, you”re basically complicit.”
UI student Jessy Forsmo-Shadid said people often tell her they feel they don”t belong in the movement, or will get in the way if they participate.
“We”re called the United States of America. You stand up for the flag,” Forsmo-Shadid said. “To say something this harmful doesn”t pertain to you because it”s not something you live everyday, it”s hypocritical.”
Haltinner said it is important for anyone joining a movement to listen to the words and experiences of those most directly and negatively effected.
“We continue to have the same conversation over and over again,” Haltinner said. “We have to somehow resolve the root cause of this problem.”
Samuels addressed the All Lives Matter hashtag, a rebuttal of the Black Lives Matter movement, saying it”s often said as if the idea that black lives matter is offensive.
“If you really truly believe that all lives matter, then we should be able to stick up for each other. Your burden is my burden.”
Katelyn Hilsenbeck can be reached at [email protected]