Nearly ten years ago, Master Sgt. Albert Wilkerson and his wife heard rumors that North Idaho was a tough place for African-Americans, according to the latest issue of the Idaho Democratic Party newsletter. As an African-American who had felt the pain of racism in other communities and even in his beloved Corps, the Wilkersons were up for the challenge. 

The Wilkerson's met with members of the human rights movement in Idaho while they were living in the San Diego area, the newsletter states. They decided to help out and chose north Idaho as their retirement home. They quickly found that “except for a few idiots” in a tiny group calling themselves the “Aryan Nations,” discrimination was less noticeable in Idaho than in other parts of the country.

“In my time in the military, my life was threatened twice because of my race. I remember that rebel flags were raised over camp in San Diego. Yes, we ran into racial problems. But In Idaho, you don’t even notice it. It feels so good,” he said.

My wife and I had also been feeling this way for a long time. Having experienced a lot more racial hostility in other states, for our first couple of years in Idaho, I thought I was imagining things when I felt the the tremendous peace here.

"Maybe I've just been lucky," I thought to myself.

And for those first few years, whenever I had a conflict, I assumed it was racial. But everything always toned down. I have also been quickly moved into various positions of trust in the workplace and elsewhere.

While it may not be reflected in the census numbers, Idahoans are open to diversity and welcome those from other cultures.

The outpouring of support for Barack Obama is evidence of this.

Wilkerson continued, “When Obama announced, … for first time in my adult life, I felt like an equal American,” he said. “It made me think that even in a small state like Idaho, I can make a difference. I did not want to sit back and let others decide,” he said.

With his words above, Wilkerson expressed this popular African American sentiment better than Michelle Obama, in her now famous quote: "for the first time in my adult life, I feel like I am proud of my country."

I believe that "I felt like an equal American" was what Ms. Obama meant to say.

Today in semi-retirement, Wilkerson gives historical presentations on African-American history in the West, especially the Buffalo Soldiers. The Wilkersons also raise Arabian and Tennessee Walker horses at their home near Athol.  

But despite a comfortable retirement, Wilkerson is “fired up and ready to go” about his presidential nominee, and he’s not shy about sharing his enthusiasm with others.

“The people of this country, especially here in Idaho, have this great feeling of hope,” he said. “We’re behind Obama because he’s the right person to lead us all as we work to turn this country around. I want to do my part.”