Statement from the Davis Phoenix Coalition:
The Davis Phoenix Coalition was founded in response to a hate crime, and is dedicated to fighting discrimination and supporting marginalized communities in Davis and our region. We were therefore profoundly disturbed to hear about an incident of racial hate at Friday’s Davis High School Homecoming Parade as it moved 
through downtown.
When a truck carrying the Black Student Union came to 2nd and F Streets, a man in a work truck shouted “White guy power!” Students observing the parade from the sidewalk erupted in protest. The man shouted again, “White power!” The students threw candy at the man’s truck until he drove away. This account was corroborated by multiple witnesses.
Sadly, these blatant declarations of white supremacy are too common in recent years. For an adult to harass Black high school students with hate speech is appalling, and we condemn this action unequivocally. We understand that his employer has been informed and will take action.
To the students who were the target of this hate speech, we want you to know we stand with you. We are committed to fighting anti-Black racism to ensure that Davis can be a safe, inclusive community for all our residents. Black Davisites have been part of our community for generations and belong here. White supremacy is not welcome.
Not saying this is “right”, but some may view separate celebrations of color as racist, itself. Or at least, divisive. Leading to the type of unfortunate response witnessed, here.
They’re parading through town – do they get special privilege for being students?
But the more I see of this, the more I suspect it might not have even been a Davis resident.
Well, at least he became more inclusive regarding “gender”. Of course, some people have actually gotten fired for saying “all lives matter”, or criticizing BLM.
The only actual crime that occurred.
“Who” informed his employer, and how did they determine his identity? Was this shared by authorities?
If he works for a public entity, I don’t believe they can take action based upon this.
At some point, someone will do something like this and not be employed in the first place. At which point the “crowd” will likely find some other way to respond. (Hopefully, not anything more serious or illegal than throwing candy at a vehicle.)
It’s easy to condemn, but a lot harder to understand and address the reasons that this type of thing arises. Condemning isn’t helping, and likely has an opposite effect among those who react this way. Ironically, the incessant condemnation arising from the same people who claim to be the most “tolerant”.
I don’t think getting him fired will help, either. Probably just creates more resentment among those predisposed to this type of reaction.
So you’re arguing that high school students of color, parading through downtown, legitimately open themselves up to shouts of white power?
“Not saying this is “right”, but some may view separate celebrations of color as racist, itself.”
Trolls and racists often make these arguments.
You’re responding directly to me, now? First time in a long time.
“Legitimately” is not a word I would use in regard to “white power” (or any other type of “skin color power”).
But yeah, when high school students are marching through the streets making any type of political statement (sanctioned by DJUSD), they’re opening themselves up to legal resistance. I didn’t see the parade, so I’m not sure exactly what it consisted of. It may not have been intended as a political statement.
But the reaction to it is likely a culmination of reaction – not just to this one event.
These aren’t “shrinking violets”, as demonstrated by the throwing of objects at a vehicle, and the subsequent “tracking down” of the individual in an attempt to get him fired. Are these activities also sanctioned by the school district?
Same thing with an underage climate activist such as Greta, as she is also no shrinking violet. Though I’m not sure if she’s an adult, by now.
Actually, I’ve never heard them make those arguments. In fact, it’s not even an argument so much as it is a guess/observation as to what they’re responding to.
Trolls and racists are not always in the same category. Trolls can often be found making “anti-racist” type statements (for lack of a better word), as well.
Home-Coming
[edited]
The inherent topic is use of language, and how folk interpret it… the event was very likely, an ‘acting out’, to be sure… but note the reaction… is that not ‘acting out’, as well?
One ignorant man shouting racially provocative hateful words does not represent Davis especially if he possibly doesn’t even live in Davis.
True. What does represent Davis is what Bapu said on Monday: ” I’ll be really blunt in answering this question. The hard truth is that Davis is not a welcoming place for people of color. We can think of ourselves as tolerant. We can think of ourselves as committed to social equity. But the number of friends of color who’ve been low income, middle income, high income, who’ve chosen to move away from our community because it doesn’t feel comfortable for them, it doesn’t feel safe. I feel that every day. And I can only imagine what African Americans and black people in this town also feel.”
Some version of that comment is what I have heard from countless people of color over the last two decades in town. So this incident may not be representative of this community, but this community does not have a great track record.