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Former KKK member Elwin Wilson apologizes to Rep. John Lewis for beating him decades ago.

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Wetzelbill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 02:28 AM
Original message
Former KKK member Elwin Wilson apologizes to Rep. John Lewis for beating him decades ago.
 
Run time: 07:53
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtJioVDTVUs
 
Posted on YouTube: February 09, 2009
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Posted on DU: February 09, 2009
By DU Member: Wetzelbill
Views on DU: 3728
 
This is amazing. -WB
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TheBigotBasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 02:47 AM
Response to Original message
1. I trust that the bigot did go to prison for this
and if not - he still should.
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Syrinx Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 04:18 AM
Response to Reply #1
8. I would suspect that the statute of limitations has been exceeded
The incident was nearly fifty years ago.
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TheBigotBasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 12:17 PM
Response to Reply #8
14. I was thinking at the time of the attack;
Also I thought the statute of limitations applied only financial issues.

John Lewis is an amazing man. The more I learn of him, hear of him, the more impressed I become. He is a credit to America.
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drgonzosghost Donating Member (206 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 01:47 PM
Response to Reply #14
16. This was back "in the old school days" when people didn't really..
press charges for assault. Not saying it's right, but back then taking a beating was a sign of manliness for some reason.
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EFerrari Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 02:45 PM
Response to Reply #16
18. And being black meant law enforcement wouldn't listen to you anyway
in many venues. . . .
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Syrinx Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-10-09 04:07 AM
Response to Reply #14
29. you said he should still be prosecuted
I'm certainly not a lawyer, but I think the statute of limitations applies to just about everything, except murder. There is no SOL on murder.

I agree with you about John Lewis. He is a great man.
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roguevalley Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 03:23 PM
Response to Reply #1
19. what he did was bigger than any punishment man could give him.
his conscience claimed him and he redeemed his soul when he came forward in public, in spite of the people around him in his life who are probably aghast, and said I am sorry. That is what real redemption, real dignity is, him asking and having it accepted. This is wonderful.
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drgonzosghost Donating Member (206 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 04:06 PM
Response to Reply #19
20. Very well put indeed!
Hit the nail right on the head, my friend!
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roguevalley Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 04:48 PM
Response to Reply #20
22. I believe in the grace of redemption. :-D
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TheBigotBasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 07:09 PM
Response to Reply #19
27. He is a God bothering bigot
who in the twilight of his years "needs to" pray for forgiveness. In my mind, the only person who comes out of this better is Rep John Lewis.
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Syrinx Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-10-09 04:19 AM
Response to Reply #19
30. I agree
I think it is crazy talk to talk about prosecuting the man after he has repented for his sins.

:thumbsup:
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EFerrari Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 02:49 AM
Response to Original message
2. I wonder if it's possible to write a note to Wilson.
That is amazing.
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Triana Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 02:58 AM
Response to Reply #2
3. It would be nice if there was a way to show him support for what he's done
because no doubt he WILL get more of those nasty calls - or worse.

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cooolandrew Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 03:13 AM
Response to Reply #3
6. I think he'll be fine with the calls now in part way his conscience is clean >
Edited on Mon Feb-09-09 03:17 AM by cooolandrew
and he's put out such a positive message to the world. If he encourages more to do the same all the better as it means a more harmonious and in a way peaceful nation can come from it.
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BeliQueen Donating Member (433 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 06:22 PM
Response to Reply #3
25. I hope he continues to get nasty phone calls
Nothing threatening or overwhelming, but just enough so that he's able to spread his message one person at a time.

He's been where they are, and he's overcome his hatred. He's the person these people need to speak with because he can relate to them.
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Wetzelbill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 03:03 AM
Response to Reply #2
5. that's a good idea
Edited on Mon Feb-09-09 03:04 AM by Wetzelbill
Maybe we could send them to John Lewis and his office can find a way to pass it on?
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EFerrari Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 03:25 AM
Response to Reply #5
7. Maybe it could be sent to reporter Andrew Dys at the Rock Hill Herald,
Edited on Mon Feb-09-09 03:26 AM by EFerrari
where the story was first reported. Mr. Wilson might be getting weird stuff in the mail and might decide to toss everything he doesn't recognize. Maybe postcards so it can be seen immediately that it's just a note in support.

Andrew Dys c/o
The Rock Hill Herald
P.O. Box 11707
Rock Hill, SC 29731

Email:
[email protected]

:hi:
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cooolandrew Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 02:59 AM
Response to Original message
4. This is a very beautiful thing. Barack's election will be a very positive thing for the world>
Edited on Mon Feb-09-09 03:00 AM by cooolandrew
as those who have been bigotted will begin to question their whole belief system. Which with whatever world events come President Obama's way good or bad, it can only enrich us all.
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stlsaxman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 06:42 AM
Response to Original message
9. Happily 5th Recommendation- Elwin Wilson is a REAL man! n/t
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mmonk Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 08:47 AM
Response to Original message
10. Recommended.
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Jefferson23 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 09:42 AM
Response to Original message
11.  K&R, This was amazing and Lewis is one of the most gracious and
decent men alive.
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Ishoutandscream2 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 10:46 AM
Response to Original message
12. A moment of healing. How refreshing.
Lewis was very, very gracious. And kudos to Mr. Wilson for acknowledging his guilt and asking for forgiveness. We need more of this in our world.
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Jack Rabbit Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 11:48 AM
Response to Original message
13. K/R
There is such a thing as redemption.
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Wetzelbill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 02:32 PM
Response to Reply #13
17. I think so
It took some serious courage for this man to come forward like this.
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ihavenobias Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 12:19 PM
Response to Original message
15. K & R
Good find.
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Turborama Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 04:20 PM
Response to Original message
21. "love is much stronger than hate"
That was wonderful, thank-you for the share! K&R
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ReliantJ Donating Member (680 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 05:58 PM
Response to Original message
23. heart warming
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Number23 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 06:21 PM
Response to Original message
24. "Hate is too heavy a burden to bear"
Good God. :cry:

If I could rec this a hundred times. Thanks so much for posting.
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Wetzelbill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 06:56 PM
Response to Reply #24
26. you're welcome
Glad to do it.
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Wetzelbill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-09-09 08:45 PM
Response to Reply #26
28. kick
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