BOISE, Idaho — The recent news of an out-of-state women’s college basketball team being subject to racial abuse while staying in Coeur d’Alene is just one recent example of allegations of racism in the Gem State. 

But that type of rhetoric extends beyond North Idaho – including into our communities in the Treasure Valley. 

The store shelves at Time Zone Toys are a time machine to the past tucked in Meridian – where Dave Bazan has raised his family and built his business. 

“It’s a small toy community,” Bazan said. “The same people go, there’s only like three shops like this. So everybody knows everyone.”

Bazan showed KTVB security video from over the weekend where a man was joking about stealing from the store.

“It got a little too much,” Bazan said.

Bazan confronted the customer, who could be heard on the security video saying several racist remarks and slurs.

“It was disgusting to see somebody just go straight there,” Bazan said. “For no reason at all, to go to the race card like that.”

Bazan did not want the security footage of the encounter to be broadcast, but KTVB saw it and can confirm the details of his story.

The small business owner says this isn’t the first time he has dealt with racist remarks at his store, but he’s trying not to be angry or too upset over the encounter.

“I mean, like, is that going to make anything better?” Bazan said. “It’s just like, the world is messed up right now as it is. But to me, going to fight over my skin color?”

ACLU of Idaho Communications Director Rebecca De León says that harmful incidents and remarks like these hold a heavy weight, and racism is a problem that’s been prevalent throughout much of the Gem State’s history.

“Black and brown people, and now LGBTQ people also, most specifically have been scapegoated as the problem of everything,” De León said. “And it is reinforced by elected officials.”

De León says that systemic racism in Idaho is also reinforced by policy, culture, rhetoric and law.

“Idaho has not shown the leadership that is required to tear down racism. In fact, it has been going actively in the wrong direction. ” De León said. “So we need to have a very serious conversation within ourselves. Ask ourselves: why are we okay with these kinds of things being supported and being said? Why do we not speak out against them?”

Speak out. Or, simply – 

“Just be nice,” Bazan said. “I mean, there’s not a reason to judge anybody on where they’re from.” 

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