The dangers of revolutionary right-wing rhetoric (Christian Science Monitor)

[struggle4progress]

When Glenn Beck and others talk about an antigovernment revolution, we should recall the 1898 Wilmington race riot.
By Walter Rodgers
from the November 27, 2009 edition

... Today, talk of an antigovernment revolution has gone mainstream in America. One federal law-enforcement agency has discovered 50 new militia groups, including one made up of past and current police officers and soldiers. While in office, President Bush was the target of roughly 3,000 death threats a year. President Obama is on pace to quintuple that. In this environment, Americans might well reflect on Wilmington's experience 111 years ago.

In 1898, this city was years ahead of the rest of the American South, building an inclusive, interracial political culture. It had a burgeoning black middle class. A new era of hope dawned in North Carolina.

But the losers in the 1896 elections, the white Democrats, sulked on the margins, threatened by political irrelevance. Their sense of entitlement to governance had just been rejected by white progressives and black voters. "Take back the state," became their battle cry.

And they did just that. On Nov. 9, some Wilmington whites issued a White Declaration of Independence, proclaiming "that we will no longer be ruled ... by men of African origin" ...

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1127/p09s02-coop.html

[DemoTex]

1. Excellent piece!

"The lesson is obvious: Healthy language produces healthy communities. Unhealthy language results in unhealthy communities."

K&R

:kick:

[SammyWinstonJack]

2. K&R!

[waiting for hope]

3. The city erected a monument-

Submitted by WWAY on 11 July 2008 - 6:16pm

Wilmington's dark history gave way to a bright future today with the erection of the 1898 Race Riot monument.

After years of preparation, the memorial finally took shape.

With plenty of hands to help and a crane to carefully put each crafted piece in place, the Wilmington Race Riot of 1898 monument will now be a permanent fixture in the city.

Sculpture artist Ayokunle Odeleye said, "This is designed to be a memorial of reconciliation and celebration. We don't call it a race riot sculpture or anything like that. This is an 1898 memorial symbolic of people living harmoniously together in this community."

Not only has this monument touched our community, but it has also reached out to those already traveling to see it.

Walter Robinson is fascinated with his family's roots. He traced his family back to the time of the Wilmington race riots.

"That's what drove my grandparents and others like them out of Wilmington. I can't tell you how moved I was," said Robinson.

Wilmington was a much different place in 1898, and many agree the monument is evidence the city has come a long way.

~Snip~

Link

This area is really diverse for being in the "dreaded south" - I have come across more inter-racial couples here than anywhere else I have lived, which includes New Orleans and Northern Virginia.

[Quantess]

4. late night kick

[Libertas1776]

5. Excellent article

thanks for posting.