Chico’s blind eye to racism

Back in April, someone scrawled racist and homophobic graffiti on a building at Chico State. At the time, we hoped it was a one-off case of vandalism.

It wasn’t.

Last month, we learned about another ugly incident: A mural on West Second Street depicting local Native American culture—that of the Mechoopda Maidu—was defaced with swastikas and the words “white power,” among other disturbing messages. And this week, the Chico Police Department reported similar hate-filled vandalism occurred at 11 locations in the southwest part of town.

Let’s not forget the backdrop to these incidents. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the number of hate groups in the nation rose by 7 percent between 2017 and 2018, reaching an all-time high. During the same time period, so-called white nationalist groups alone increased by 50 percent.

Of course, this rise in hate corresponds with the ascendance of a racist, xenophobic president who lies compulsively to enrage and frighten his base to remain in power.

Locally, the spree of bigoted property destruction must be taken seriously—by the Chico PD, the university and the community at large. Law enforcement is investigating the recent incidents, but we’ve heard little response from the higher education sector.

The University Police Department issued a basic crime bulletin to the campus community following the April incident. It outlined what it referred to as “preventative tips and information,” such as locking facility doors. It included two sentences heralding the institution’s position on the matter: that it celebrates diversity and such vandalism flies “in the face of university values.” But it’s been silent about the other incidents—including one that took place a few blocks from campus, while school was in session.

We all know—or should know—that racism stems from ignorance. Chico State has an important role—an obligation, really—to help stem such incidents in the community. We’re disappointed thus far in the institution’s ham-handed and half-hearted response.

Local activists have talked about the incidents at City Council meetings and are doing their best to engage city leaders and the public. We realize most Chicoans can’t relate to being the target of hate. That’s largely because most folks in this white-bread town are, well, white. But our fair-skinned community needs to stop turning a blind eye to the racism in our midst. It’s a cancer and it’s going to fester if we don’t treat it.