Multiple posters with the wording “It’s okay to be white” cropped up across Moscow Thursday morning.
In a university memo, University of Idaho President Chuck Staben denounced the slogan, most often associated with white supremacists and neo-Nazi groups across the nation.
“I am disappointed to see such expression on our campus,” Staben wrote. “The value, ‘Respect’ and our effort to ‘Cultivate a valued and diverse community’ are parts of our Strategic Plan.”
David Harlan, Moscow community member and UI instructor, said he removed posters on his way to the Moscow Food Co-op. Harlan said he spotted four posters, and heard of at least five others spread across the community.
“In today’s environment, it’s one of those statements that intentionally loaded with the baggage of where we are in our society in terms of politics, in terms of where we are in white supremacy” Harlan said. “The statement is innocuous and provocative.”
Harlan said he suspected the person or group behind the posters elicit the reaction. While these occurrences are not new, similar posters appeared on college campuses and in communities across the country Thursday.
“Now, these people, the kind of people who put up posters like that, they are saying their rights are being infringed as other people are getting equal rights,” Harlan said.
Harlan agreed with Staben’s email, which was sent out Thursday evening, that while the phrasing may not outwardly seem offensive, the rhetoric reflects a much more toxic culture.
Staben said in accordance to APM 40.29, any posters, “not on bulletin boards, but on doors, walls, or similar locations will be removed.”
“So, while we can agree it is okay to be white, brown, rich, poor, gay, straight or any number of other identities — and while we respect the right to free expression — we as a community, and certainly I, as your president (and as an individual) do not value this divisive and provocative form of speech,” Staben said.
Brandon Hill can be reached at [email protected]
UPDATE: This article has been changed to reflect the information was derived from an internal memo, not a university news release.
Joe S
"So, while we can agree it is okay to be white — and while we respect the right to free expression — if you write this fact down on a piece of paper, we'll consider it hate speech and remove it immediately." Outstanding intellectual integrity from Mr. Staben.
Ryan
I'm not seeing the connection? Isn't it okay to be white? I don't see how this is racist.
A. Wyatt Mann
>It's Okay to be white “I am disappointed to see such expression on our campus." Really makes you think...
Eli Goldstein
It’s okay to be
whiteFariq Nasim
It's NOT OK TO BE WHITE. Alright nazis? That's the problem. Whiteness is what has been oppressing people of color for half a millennia. It's time for change. And time for white people and their supremacy to be tossed into the dust-bin of history. Sorry nazis, your grand kids are going to be brown. We WILL replace you.
Feminist destroyer
@Isaiah Are you sure you have good mental health or am I not getting the joke?
Argyle
This message originates from trolls on 4chan looking to expose the hypocrisy of the left. Not racists. Good job U of I. You are literally continuing to prove their point.
Emily
The way Chuck Staben and this UI instructor responded just solidified the point of the posters lmao. If posters saying, “it’s okay to be black”, or “it’s okay to be gay”, popped up, there would only be support. What a time to be alive fellows. A time when you can’t say it’s just okay to be white, but if you’re anything else, it’s amazing; feel free to shout it loud. Pathetic.
Isaiah
I can't believe this hateful, neo-nazi rhetoric made its way to Moscow. Of course it's okay to be white, these people are just whiny idiots trying to play the victim. Why weren't the police called so these neo-nazis could be apprehended or, at the very least, investigated? These posters are nothing more than a threat to the women, minorities, and LGBT who call Moscow home. This NEEDS to be investigated as a hate crime and the criminals prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Sick racists have no place in this town.
Bill
"Isaiah".....what is the problem with this?
Wienstien
Sp it's not OK to Be White? Way to be a racist socialist.
Leroy Jenkins
How is this a threat? I see BLM posters up everywhere. If you feel threatened by the statement "it's ok to be white", I think you should probably grow a pair.
Bettina Fuller
I guess I am missing something. How is this sentiment racist? Is it OK to be _______ (insert racial minority descriptor here), but not white?