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kag

(4,115 posts)
Tue May 1, 2018, 01:40 PM May 2018

America's first lynching memorial results in some local residents filled with ire, resentment

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/30/1760996/-America-s-first-lynching-memorial-results-in-some-local-residents-filled-with-ire-resentment?detail=emaildkre

<snip>

As Sam Levin writes in The Guardian, some locals in Montgomery feel resentful that the museum is “dredging up the past.”

“It’s going to cause an uproar and open old wounds,” said Mikki Keenan, a 58-year-old longtime Montgomery resident, who was eating lunch at a southern country-style restaurant a mile from the memorial. Local residents, she said, feel “it’s a waste of money, a waste of space and it’s bringing up bullshit”.

“It keeps putting the emphasis on discrimination and cruelty,” chimed in her friend, who asked not to be named for fear that her child would disapprove of her remarks. The memorial, she added, could spark violence.


<snip>

“Bring that stuff to light, and let it be there, but don’t dwell on it,” said Tommy Rhodes, a member of the Alabama Sons of Confederate Veterans. “We have moved past it … You don’t want to entice them and feed any fuel to the fire.”


<snip>

Wow. So many astonishing things about these quotes...

1. She wants to remain anonymous because her child would disapprove of her remarks? Just Wow.

2. "We have moved past it..." Who is "we"? The white people whose ancestors committed the lynchings, and then presumably taught their offspring their own special brand of hatred and cruelty? So big of you to have "moved past it" . Moron.

3. Who is "them"? Who is it he's trying not to "entice". As if this memorial is intended only for "those people" whose immediate families were devastated by these horrific crimes. As if "they" are going to be so angered by this poignantly beautiful memorial that "they" might become violent? Sorry, sir. That's what YOUR ancestors did, not "theirs".

4. And as if "we" can't all learn and ponder and meditate on the causes and repercussions of such violence. Certainly this memorial goes a much longer way toward healing and growing as a nation than some idiotic statue of Stonewall Jackson.

I grew up among people like those quoted in this article. Sadly, I'm not surprised by the ignorance displayed in their comments. My hope is derived from the acknowledgement by the one woman that her children are vastly smarter than she is.

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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America's first lynching memorial results in some local residents filled with ire, resentment (Original Post) kag May 2018 OP
I have moved d_r May 2018 #1
What they really mean is: "Let's forget it ever happened" bitterross May 2018 #2
Yep, "moved past it" about this far, at best. Look forward to seeing that exhibit. No excuse. Hoyt May 2018 #3
A holes irisblue May 2018 #4
Probably how the Germans felt when they were forced to tour the camps. JNelson6563 May 2018 #5
My prayers and thoughts go out to all those crackers who may feel a bit ashamed randr May 2018 #6
I just wish they DID feel ashamed. kag May 2018 #7
what????? heaven05 May 2018 #8
Brain damage JustAnotherGen May 2018 #9
lol heaven05 May 2018 #10
This message was self-deleted by its author irisblue May 2018 #11
Fresh Aire/ NPR show today was on lynching. I wept almost the whole way thru in horror irisblue May 2018 #12

d_r

(6,907 posts)
1. I have moved
Tue May 1, 2018, 01:44 PM
May 2018

So far past it that I tell reporters that I pay to be a member of a group that is based on white washing the history of it.

 

bitterross

(4,066 posts)
2. What they really mean is: "Let's forget it ever happened"
Tue May 1, 2018, 01:54 PM
May 2018

They want to cover it up and ignore it like it never happened. Then they can try to ignore it and it will be easier to do again in the future.

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
3. Yep, "moved past it" about this far, at best. Look forward to seeing that exhibit. No excuse.
Tue May 1, 2018, 02:04 PM
May 2018


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kag

(4,115 posts)
7. I just wish they DID feel ashamed.
Tue May 1, 2018, 03:24 PM
May 2018

All I see in these comments is intolerance and impatience.

 

heaven05

(18,124 posts)
8. what?????
Wed May 2, 2018, 08:54 AM
May 2018

is their problem???? They can't understand this is a counterbalance to the freewheeling hate pot that trump and the GOP minions have been stirring for a couple of years now along with MSM, Fox news especially, along with hate radio/internet the RW, GOP, KKK, Nazi(german-Amerikkkan bund) giving an almost continuing diatribe of the dangers inherent in an all-inclusive America, racially, gender-wise, culturally.

At last! This all I have to say. Recognition of having committed a grievous offense to others is the first step in healing the hurt caused by the offense(s). While people like this cause me consternation in the reading of their ignorance, I just hope "Peace and Justice" for all, happens one day.

JustAnotherGen

(33,785 posts)
9. Brain damage
Wed May 2, 2018, 09:15 AM
May 2018

Is all I can come up with. Like their worthless mamas dropped them on their heads or something.

Response to kag (Original post)

irisblue

(34,406 posts)
12. Fresh Aire/ NPR show today was on lynching. I wept almost the whole way thru in horror
Fri May 4, 2018, 01:40 PM
May 2018

It'll be online soon. This tweet is from a man whose ancestor escaped lynching at 11 years old.


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