When Hate Is Ignored

[Gina B]

This worked in the moment, though I'm concerned about some of the methods that may have been employed to keep it quiet.

The "rally" on Florence (the exact location was on private property) was a KKK rally.

http://www.monticellolive.com/sunday-morning-coming-down/#more-169621

A few residents held a "peace and love" rally the same day on the town square.

Despite concerns, it appears to have stayed calm enough, rather than explode into the race riots people seemed to fear.

Question: Is it better to handle such events this way, or did preventing such from being news merely keep the Band-aid on a festering wound in place a bit longer?

 

[Bro. Curtis]

I think it would be a start for you, if you see a a rebel flag, to not assume you were in danger.

Are you surprised that this was peaceful ? Did you expect, even maybe want, something bad to happen ?

 

[Gina B]

Again, instead of joining into a conversation, the insults begin.
No. I did not want anything bad to happen. That is why I kept quiet in the time leading up to the event. It is their community and the overwhelming concensus was to not call attention to the event before or while it happened, out of concern for their safety.

I miss your past style of posting. You had decent ideas and held thoughtful conversations. What has happened to Mr. Curtis?

 

[Bro. Curtis]

Again, instead of joining into a conversation, the insults begin.
No. I did not want anything bad to happen. That is why I kept quiet in the time leading up to the event. It is their community and the overwhelming concensus was to not call attention to the event before or while it happened, out of concern for their safety.

I miss your past style of posting. You had decent ideas and held thoughtful conversations. What has happened to Mr. Curtis?

LOL. I'm the same Curtis. What happened to you ?


How much do you perpetuate hate when you tell us you don't feel safe due to a flag somebody flies ? Is that the thoughtful conversation you're talking about ?

It sounds like you expected something to happen, or you would not have accused anyone of "hate" at all.

And since you took the time to tell me how horrible I've become let me me you now it stinks to see you thinking with your heart instead of your head, lately.

I'm glad you learned people with different ideas can get along.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

Myself, I have never seen the kind of hatred that comes out of Zaac and Crabtowboy. I know lots of rebel flag people and I'd rather be around them than either of those two. How they feel about Christians should make you shudder. I'm sure both of them will be holding the rifles when we are rounded up. I'm also sure you and I will be marched off right along with the rebel flag people. Then we'll all be the same.

 

[JonC]

This worked in the moment, though I'm concerned about some of the methods that may have been employed to keep it quiet.

The "rally" on Florence (the exact location was on private property) was a KKK rally.

http://www.monticellolive.com/sunday-morning-coming-down/#more-169621

A few residents held a "peace and love" rally the same day on the town square.

Despite concerns, it appears to have stayed calm enough, rather than explode into the race riots people seemed to fear.

Question: Is it better to handle such events this way, or did preventing such from being news merely keep the Band-aid on a festering wound in place a bit longer?

That is what they did in Pulaski TN years ago. Everyone closed shop and stayed home (except for one pawn shop). Then a few busses came (from where I don't know) and we all suppose they had a fine time rallying on the square and doing whatever they do. They didn't leave a mess and got to exercise their free speech while everyone else got to exercise their freedom to take the day off and not listen to their free speech.

 

[Gina B]

That is what they did in Pulaski TN years ago. Everyone closed shop and stayed home (except for one pawn shop). Then a few busses came (from where I don't know) and we all suppose they had a fine time rallying on the square and doing whatever they do. They didn't leave a mess and got to exercise their free speech while everyone else got to exercise their freedom to take the day off and not listen to their free speech.

That seems a lot like what was done there. A number of residents said they were just staying home. I don't think shops closed, but the KKK rally was at night anyway.
I'm just curious as to whether this is an ideal response. It worked, and that is great, but does ignoring such groups allow them to fester and grow until they become more dangerous? To take stronger measures to make their opinion known? I am reminded of terror groups, and how they ended up going for shock value after people did not take their ideals seriously and were not that worried about what they were doing.

 

[JonC]

That seems a lot like what was done there. A number of residents said they were just staying home. I don't think shops closed, but the KKK rally was at night anyway.
I'm just curious as to whether this is an ideal response. It worked, and that is great, but does ignoring such groups allow them to fester and grow until they become more dangerous? To take stronger measures to make their opinion known? I am reminded of terror groups, and how they ended up going for shock value after people did not take their ideals seriously and were not that worried about what they were doing.

I don't know. I don't think anyone takes them seriously - although it does seem that they are becoming bolder as people seem to feel their traditions are being stripped from them. We have to remember that race groups (regardless of race) don't necessarily pray on racists as much as they make them. They exploit wrongs or perceived wrongs for their own agenda. Some have made a good living out of it.

 

[Revmitchell]

This worked in the moment, though I'm concerned about some of the methods that may have been employed to keep it quiet.

The "rally" on Florence (the exact location was on private property) was a KKK rally.

http://www.monticellolive.com/sunday-morning-coming-down/#more-169621

A few residents held a "peace and love" rally the same day on the town square.

Despite concerns, it appears to have stayed calm enough, rather than explode into the race riots people seemed to fear.

Question: Is it better to handle such events this way, or did preventing such from being news merely keep the Band-aid on a festering wound in place a bit longer?

Gina what you have to understand is that the only reason events like this do not go any further than they do is because there is no big political machine in the background providing funds to pay protesters and busing in rioters like there were in places like Ferguson and Baltimore.

Another example of that not happening was in the NC church shooting. When protests are organic and an honest expression of the people of that community alone they are most often peaceful.

 

[Gina B]

I've been noting that, Rev.. It took me by surprise to hear many Monticello residents state that while they strongly disagree with the KKK and wished they were not meeting, they had every right to do so and to use their freedom of speech. They expressed fears and concerns, naturally, but that did not stop them from honoring people's rights.

Sounds like they have some freedom loving, thoughtful people out that way.

If more people defended civil rights, regardless of opinion, and acted CIVIL like that, maybe things in this country would be better.

 

[Revmitchell]

I've been noting that, Rev.. It took me by surprise to hear many Monticello residents state that while they strongly disagree with the KKK and wished they were not meeting, they had every right to do so and to use their freedom of speech. They expressed fears and concerns, naturally, but that did not stop them from honoring people's rights.

Sounds like they have some freedom loving, thoughtful people out that way.

If more people defended civil rights, regardless of opinion, and acted CIVIL like that, maybe things in this country would be better.

I agree but use of those rights can be abused by doing what I posted in my last post. We need to use restraint and use our freedoms with integrity not trying to take things to an extreme.