Racism in Kalispell, Discover Kalispell's ResponseFrom:Diane Medler
To:Kalispell Meetings Public Comment; Sam Nunnally; Sandy Carlson; Sid Daoud; Kari Gabriel; Chad Graham; RyanHunter; Mark Johnson; Jessica Dahlman; Jed Fisher; editor@flatheadbeacon.com; tscott@flatheadbeacon.com;maggie@flatheadbeacon.com; micah@flatheadbeacon.com; mike@flatheadbeacon.com;denali@flatheadbeacon.com; Anton Kaufer; Matt Baldwin; DIL - NewsEd; Derrick Perkins;hdesch@dailyinterlake.com; keith.hatten@kpax.com; news@kpax.com; Justin.Hartley@kpax.com
Cc:Lorraine Clarno; Tia Troy - Lightning Bug PR (lightningbugpublicrelations@gmail.com)
Subject:EXTERNAL FW: Racism in Kalispell - Our experience on August 18th
Date:Friday, September 6, 2024 2:49:46 PM
Attachments:image001.pngDK Letter to Editor 9-6-24.pdf
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Attached please find Discover Kalispell’s response to Caitlyn Manners' August 18th letter.
Thank you,
Diane
From: Caitlyn Manners <mannerscm@yahoo.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 1, 2024 4:34 PM
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Subject: Racism in Kalispell - Our experience on August 18th
Dear Mayor & Council Members of Kalispell,
My fiancé and I had been planning a seven-day trip to explore Glacier National Park,Kalispell, Whitefish, and Flathead Lake. After years of dreaming about visiting Glacier
National Park, the stars finally aligned, and we had the opportunity to go.
On August 17, we drove about nine hours from Seattle to Kalispell and checked into the Best
Western Plus Flathead Lake Inn & Suites. We were in awe of the beauty around us once weentered Montana.
The next day, we went to Walmart in Kalispell to stock up for our week of adventures. Whileshopping, I noticed an older man in line at the pharmacy staring at me, giving me an odd
feeling. He continued to track our movements and wouldn't break eye contact. When I went tograb some allergy medicine near him, he turned towards me aggressively, put his hand on his
throat, and made loud choking noises while pointing at us. This lasted for about 20 seconds.
My fiancé is black, and we've been in an interracial relationship for about five years. We've
dealt with occasional stares and disapproving looks, but this was a blatant act of racism. Thehate in that man's eyes shocked me, and I couldn't believe what I was witnessing. My first
thought was that he was imitating a noose. Despite other shoppers being around, no one said aword. I was in complete shock and couldn't speak either. The man eventually walked away,
mumbling something about "your people." My fiancé led me away, and although we wanted toleave, we needed to check out our groceries.
For the first time in my life, I felt fearful for our safety. We quickly scanned and paid for ouritems, constantly on the lookout. I couldn't hold back my tears anymore while we were in the
self check out line trying to leave as quickly as possible. We stayed in the hotel for the rest ofthe day, discussing whether to go home early or continue our vacation. We decided to take it
one day at a time. Monday was okay, but we were still on edge. Like we needed to take certainprecautions for things you shouldn't have to think about in 2024 in America.
That peaceful, vacation feeling never came back. We then canceled all our planned
expeditions and guided tours. Then packed up and left for home on Tuesday morning, missingout on the rest of the trip. Our safety was more important, and I didn't want to spend any more
money in a place that didn't want us there.
While I believe that one man's actions don't represent Kalispell as a whole, I'm extremely
disappointed that no one around us said anything or consoled us. It breaks my heart that wecouldn't enjoy the rest of what the area had to offer. Maybe one day I'll feel comfortable
returning to Montana, but I don't think it will be to Kalispell.
I don't know what my intentions are with this letter or hope to gain anything, but I wanted the
leaders of this town and local news companies to know about our experience. This was notokay in any way. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please feel free to reach out to me
if you'd like.
Sincerely,
Caitlyn Manners253-576-1171
September 6, 2024
Let’s Stand for What’s Right, Kalispell
Earlier this month, a visitor and her fiancé chose northwest Montana for their highly
anticipated summer vacation. Like many travelers, this trip was a dream for them – one
they saved for, planned for and finally had the opportunity to make come true.
Unfortunately, while a trip to Montana was a dream come true for this couple, Kalispell
didn’t end up being what they dreamt about due to an incident at a local big box store
where they were met with a threating motion and unkind words that were the result of
them being an interracial couple. This one incident bothered them so much that they
packed up and went home, losing hundreds of non-refundable dollars in the process and
leaving Kalispell not only with negative feelings, but with the genuine fear this wasn’t a safe
place for them.
I can only imagine how it felt to look forward to something so much and to have their
experience in Kalispell completely ruined by the inappropriate and unkind acts of one
person. And while we can’t change their experience in Kalispell, we can do better for other
visitors and our community.
Which leads me to this – if you see someone being treated in a threatening, unkind or racist
way, please do the right thing. Here at Discover Kalispell, we work in hospitality, travel and
tourism. It’s our job and privilege to introduce this place to visitors from around the world,
supporting thousands of residents and hundreds of businesses along the way. But it’s
important to remember that we’re ALL part of the visitor experience. Help us ensure that
Kalispell is the best and most welcoming place possible – a place that’s known for treating
one another with kindness and respect and standing up for what’s right.
Diane Medler, Executive Director, Discover Kalispell