She departed a small town for Harvard but found herself reflecting on it

When Lilian Smith relocated from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to pursue her studies at Harvard, she was enthusiastic about new adventures and a fresh beginning in a larger city. She never anticipated looking back. However, during her junior year, a religion course on nationalism encouraged her to reassess her hometown from a different viewpoint.

“I didn’t learn much about it while growing up,” Smith remarked, “but I believe it’s a narrative that could significantly benefit the people in the town — to avoid repeating past mistakes. Discussing uncomfortable topics is essential sometimes.”

Smith, a history major with a secondary focus in chemistry, crafted her senior thesis on the formation of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, a grassroots initiative pivotal in combating white supremacy in Idaho. It began as a collective of concerned citizens uniting against the Aryan Nations, a neo-Nazi, white supremacist organization that operated just outside her hometown from 1978 until 2000.

Smith’s fascination with the subject originated in the “Religion and Nationalism in the United States” course, taught by Catherine Brekus, Charles Warren Professor of the History of Religion in America.

“From the outset, when Lilian first contemplated a project centered on Coeur d’Alene, she has shown exceptional courage,” stated Carleigh Beriont, assistant director of undergraduate studies for the Committee on the Study of Religion, who mentored Smith’s thesis. “She was willing to explore the darker aspects of the past to understand why and how ideologies like those promoted by the Aryan Nations persist in her hometown, eager to engage with anyone who might share their stories, irrespective of their political views or affiliations. She has remained steadfast in her aim to depict Coeur d’Alene and its inhabitants with depth and sensitivity, challenging the portrayals of national media regarding her community and highlighting how superficial representations have attracted white supremacists.”

“From the outset, when Lilian first contemplated a project centered on Coeur d’Alene, she has shown exceptional courage.”

Carleigh Beriont

Smith conducted research within the archives of North Idaho College and Gonzaga University, and held formal discussions with locals, including the town’s previous mayor, both former and current members of the Task Force on Human Relations, leaders at the Human Rights Education Institute, a former member of the Aryan Nations, a police officer, an FBI agent, and a Republican Party figure in Kootenai County.

Her thesis narrates how the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations developed from a handful of concerned citizens into a unified coalition of businesses, schools, churches, law enforcement, and politicians, collaborating to halt the proliferation of hatred in the community. They provided support to victims who suffered from religious or racially motivated harassment or violence from the Aryan Nations, advocated for state legislation against malicious harassment, and raised $35,000 for human rights organizations during an Aryan Nations parade.

“Silence gives consent” became one of their prominent slogans, Smith stated.

“These individuals genuinely care about this work,” Smith shared. “Many of these leaders recognized the best in people in a way that I might not have, and that truly transformed my view of my town.”

Even after the Aryan Nations was financially ruined by a lawsuit in 2000 and vacated their property near Coeur d’Alene, the Task Force and its affiliated organization, the Human Rights Education Institute, continued to advocate for human rights more broadly, through education and diversity initiatives, awareness events, an annual human rights banquet, and celebrations for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Nevertheless, Smith’s research revealed that national media narratives have persisted in presenting her hometown as a refuge for intolerance. She asserts that this has created a self-fulfilling prophecy, attracting a wave of newcomers now resisting the efforts of the Task Force.

“One of the main themes of my thesis is the significant influence media narratives have in shaping the development of communities,” Smith explained. “The town that exists today is not the same as the one from the ’70s, and this has complicated the work of the Task Force and the Human Rights Education Institute.”

On campus, Smith also contributed to Roy G. Gordon Professor of Chemistry Eugene Shakhnovich’s biophysics laboratory, guided tours for the Admissions Office, and was part of the business board of The Crimson. She also established Harvard Undergraduate SWAN, a nonprofit supporting students pursuing careers in public service.

After her graduation, Smith plans to relocate to Washington, D.C., to fulfill her longstanding dream of becoming an educator with the Teach for America corps.

Her sentiments regarding not returning to Coeur d’Alene post-graduation are complex. Through her thesis exploration, Smith became increasingly alarmed about the nation’s growing political divide — a trend she attributes to individuals migrating to areas that align with their political beliefs, thereby fortifying ideological echo chambers.

“This is a national trend where young people are departing their hometowns when they perceive their values are misaligned,” Smith mentioned. “Many don’t come back to reinvest in their communities. It’s genuinely concerning.”

Almost every resident of Coeur d’Alene that Smith interviewed for her thesis inquired whether she intended to return home after graduating. While she is enthusiastic about her next chapter in Washington, D.C., Smith noted that she felt a wave of guilt each time she responded negatively. “That encouraged me to reflect more critically on my decision to leave and consider the possibility of returning someday,” Smith stated. “It’s disheartening that so many people opt to leave rather than remain and tackle the issues affecting their community. Recognizing the strength of those who have stayed in the community for so long has provided me with profound respect for them.”