Posted by:
Regina McCrea
on Aug 1, 2024
I moved to Idaho in 2003, the same year I graduated from law school. I had visited only a handful of times and knew very little about the Northwest. Having grown up in Ohio and chosen to attend a college in Arkansas, I had few concerns over relocating,1 and I’m glad to have made Idaho my home. Admittedly, I was blissfully ignorant of any racism in North Idaho’s history, and when an opportunity presented itself for the Idaho Trial Lawyers to help fund a new education center for the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, I was not even aware of that facility’s connection to Coeur d’Alene. As many readers may know, the projected cost for the center’s expansion exceeds $5.5 million, and an anonymous donor wanted to partner with ITLA to secure one of four stone blocks, the block dedicated to JUSTICE. Of the $100,000 donation required for such recognition, the ITLA was tasked with only having to raise half that amount as a donor who wishes to remain anonymous is covering the other half.
As of this writing, the ITLA still has a ways to go to meet our commitment. The Executive Committee and the overwhelming majority of the Board of Directors felt this cause merited our support. As your incoming president, I not only want to see us achieve the financial benchmark that has been set, but also to understand the why behind it. Why should ITLA want this recognition and partnership? To answer that question, it seemed appropriate to start with the center’s namesake, Bill Wassmuth, and to read the non fiction work Hate Is My Neighbor.2 Published in 1999, this book has been described as “a chilling, first-hand account of how prejudice can threaten the very fabric of a community . . . and a wake-up call to all people who mistakenly believe that racial, ethnic, and religious hatred is waning in America.”3
While I recognized several names in the book (including a few lawyers), I did not know of the extensive harassment that had taken place, including that an attempt was made on Bill Wassmuth’s life solely because he spearheaded community involvement in educating and taking a peaceful stand against racism. In his first speech given as Chairman of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, Wassmuth framed the issue thusly—
First, this must be a community effort. We need to work together to provide our community with a positive avenue of responding to the presence of certain hate groups, and the bad image they’ve given this area in the media. The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations must respond to this negative publicity by speaking out in a public voice about the richness of diversity of those living in our community. We must educate others about the positive changes brought about by the civil rights movement. We must publicly reaffirm the dignity and worth of every human being who resides in Kootenai County. We must oppose bigotry and work to eliminate prejudice, for injustice done to one of our citizens is an injustice done to all of us.4
The task force formed to shed light on what happens to a community when the rights of even one person are trampled. Its mission transcended political ideologies, and its inception received broad bipartisan support from the community. This objective remains relevant and continues to hold significance today. Specifically relating to JUSTICE, the Center applies the following definition: “I will speak up for the fair treatment of all human beings and empower others to do the same. I will use my rights to stand up for your rights.” While it may sound idealistic, this phrasing epitomizes what lawyers are called upon to do. Trial lawyers advocate for and amplify the voices of others, often representing individuals whose voices might otherwise go unheard. This meaning of “Justice” aligns well with the aims of this organization, and this fundraiser merits support.
If you have not already done so, please consider making a donation today by simply scanning the QR code below or visiting ITLA’s website at https://www.itla.org/?pg=ITLAJusticeBlock
