Cross Burnings in Durham
Sometimes, despite everything you think you know about progress, human decency, the New South, and all that, the history we so often want to forget slouches rudely into the open. Last night, for the first time in recent memory, the Institute’s hometown, Durham, North Carolina, was the site of three cross-burnings.
I’d like to think some dumb old boys got to drinking or nibbling on the kudzu, and this won’t amount to anything. There doesn’t appear to have been any warning, and white supremacists don’t usually exhibit themselves so aggressively in this liberal, half-African-American city. But one of the targets, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, had recently been picketed by the infamous Fred “God Hates Fags” Phelps (of Topeka, Kansas) and his weird clan of homophobes as part of his campaign against a performance of “The Laramie Project” at the Durham School of the Arts.
From the Durham Herald-Sun:
Also see what Pam Spaulding has to say about this over at Pam’s House Blend.
UPDATE 2 P.M.: There will be three community vigils tonight (Thursday) in Durham -- see the comments for details. There will also be an emergency community response meeting at the Mad Hatter Bakery in Durham (corner of Broad and Main streets) at 8 am Friday morning to discuss next steps. -- CK
I’d like to think some dumb old boys got to drinking or nibbling on the kudzu, and this won’t amount to anything. There doesn’t appear to have been any warning, and white supremacists don’t usually exhibit themselves so aggressively in this liberal, half-African-American city. But one of the targets, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, had recently been picketed by the infamous Fred “God Hates Fags” Phelps (of Topeka, Kansas) and his weird clan of homophobes as part of his campaign against a performance of “The Laramie Project” at the Durham School of the Arts.
From the Durham Herald-Sun:
Burning a cross without the permission of the property owner is a misdemeanor in North Carolina. However, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2003 that, under the First Amendment, cross burning could be barred only when done with the intent to intimidate.I’m curious: under what circumstances would burning a cross – anywhere – not be considered an attempt to intimidate somebody?
Also see what Pam Spaulding has to say about this over at Pam’s House Blend.
UPDATE 2 P.M.: There will be three community vigils tonight (Thursday) in Durham -- see the comments for details. There will also be an emergency community response meeting at the Mad Hatter Bakery in Durham (corner of Broad and Main streets) at 8 am Friday morning to discuss next steps. -- CK
4 Comments:
Thanks for the link, Gary. This is unbelievable. Only a couple of miles from my house. A city where I can attest, integration exists at a level that doesn't exist in many parts of NYC, for example, and where I can live an with my partner alongside my neighbors. This is bullsh*t.
Yeah, well the South still has a lot of dirty laundry (like most places) and it doesn't surprise me- sorry as sad and pathetic as it is-sorry.
J.S.
http://voicesofreason.info
Is it just me, or is North Carolina becoming wingnut central?
I just got an action alert:
The Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham is calling for vigils at all three locations tonight, Thursday May 26, and believe strongly that a large community response to the cross burnings is important.
PLEASE COME TONIGHT TO ONE OF THREE CANDLELIGHT VIGILS TO STAND AGAINST KLAN VIOLENCE, CROSS BURNING, AND RACISM IN OUR COMMUNITIES: BRING YOUR CANDLES!
DOWNTOWN VIGIL: 6:00 community dinner and discussion on the cross burnings and the communty's response, 7:30 pm Vigil: Meet for both at the Durham Main Library parking lot, at 300 N Rosboro, between Holloway and Liberty streets. The dinner will take place within walking distance of the library. The vigil will likely take place near the site of the cross burning, 2 blocks away at the United House of Prayer on Dillard and Holloway. If you can help bring a dish, banners, or candles please Contact Andrew Pearson, kangaroo@email.unc.edu 360 2028.
WEST DURHAM VIGIL: 8:00 pm At or near ST. Luke's Episcopal Church, (919) 286-2273, 1737 Hillandale Rd, Durham 27705, near I-85. The Church pastor and neighborhood and community groups are involved in the planning. Contact: John Schelp, bwatu@yahoo.com, Old West Durham Neighborhood Association,
SOUTH DURHAM VIGIL: 8:00 pm on the sidewalk on South Roxboro Street, near Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., in front of the site of the cross burning. The plan at present is to have everyone gather on the sidewalk at the site of the burning on South Roxboro Street tonight at 8 pm and bring a candle "to shine some light in this moment of darkness." Churches and civic organizations are being contacted and fliers are being printed up. Contact Terry and Ann Lee Mosley, mosgen@earthlink.net, 489-8592.
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