'Stand Up, Selma'
Talk about hypocrisy.
Sunday night, the people of Selma, Alabama were treated to an event called "Stand Up, Selma." The organizers proclaimed their purpose was to "stand together in love" in order to build a “beloved community.”
And some of the speakers backed up those goals with their talks to the audience:
Reverends Mark Duke and Spicer made a call to action. Spicer said to celebrate and appreciate everyone’s culture.
“My heritage is a part of me,” he said. “I should be who I am, and you should be who you are. We should like each other for who we are.”
Duke spoke of acceptance for everyone.
“People should be tolerant for one another,” he said. “We should respect each other.”
Sounds good. But one look at who put this little love-fest together raises immediate suspicion: the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Worse, the keynote speaker was none other than Heidi Beirich, whom the article describes as the "director of research and special projects intelligence projects [sic] for the Southern Poverty Law Center ..."
Whoa! Seems like Heidi acquires a new, even-creepier sounding title every time we hear from her.
So how does a community "stand together in love" and promote respect for everyone's heritage?
If you're Heidi Beirich, you terrify the audience:
The law center says there are 24 hate groups in Alabama.
“There is a hate group base in Selma,” Beirich said. “It is called the League of the South. They are a neo-confederate group that basically wants to return to a way of life pre-1865.”
Beirich said members of the group believe slavery is God ordained.
She told the horrified audience tips to help stop hate groups.
Oh, the horror. The horror.
In case you missed it, Heidi Beirich just implied the League of the South's number one goal is to bring back slavery. How that deliberate distortion promotes mutual respect and a "beloved community" escapes me.
But such dishonesty is the SPLC's business plan. Forget the League of the South's core message warning about the dangerous concentration of political and economic power, and about the intensifying assault on our traditional protections from an out-of-control central government. Forget the speeches urging self-reliance and why we must break growing dependence on government. Forget the books and articles seeking to preserve historical cultures, and documenting the historical record of appeals to egalitarianism, the favorite incendiary device of ambitious demagogues.
Instead, demonize an organization promoting the true history and the survival of the Southern people as something it is not. Reduce its members and the people it represents down to a single, malicious lie.
Of course, the remarks of the SPLC's director of special intelligence projects make perfect sense -- that is, once you understand that the SPLC's actual goal is to profit from racial animosity.
If the SPLC were in charge of fire departments, they'd put napalm in all the hydrants.
posted by Michael Tuggle @ Tuesday, August 19, 2008
10 Comments
10 Comments:
Thomas Naylor brought to my attention her Summer 2008 article, "North Meets Shouth," http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=915 in which she attacks both Naylor and the Second Vermont Republic. I couldn't help but think that she and/or the SPLC were attempting to drive a wedge.
The more traction the secessionist movement gains, the louder will become the reactions of its adversaries. That's not a big deal. That's just the game. In effect, as the opposition gets more shrill, the sessionist movement becomes more legitimate.
Although secessionist opposition will come from all over the political map, I maintain that the movement's most vocal critics will come from the self-absorbed Left. As the state crumbles, it is they who have the most to lose.
sebastian ronin,
Very true. It's obvious the partisans and courtesans of big government fear talk of local self-government and self-determination. So, as you so nicely put it, as the opposition gets more shrill, the sessionist movement becomes more legitimate.
I can't wait to hear 'em squeal.
The only slavery people experience in the slavery in their minds created by hatred and fear. It appears fear mongering is in high fashion. I am a tried and true southerner and never have my ancestors advocated slavery. My great grandfather went a long way in Athens, AL towards freeing people in spirit, financially and economically. He partnered with those who had before never known how to be free. It's an insult how people always use the word "slavery" or "slavery advocate" when they choose to argue about any southern ideals. Slavery was not a southern ideal. It was an abuse of humanity by some of the wealthier southern businessmen and farmers. Then again, my Irish ancestors left stories behind of their own slavery experiences.
Even more frightening, she chose an area that is just now experiencing freedom in many respects including economically. To use the word "slavery" to invoke fear and hatred is just too sad.
Hey Mike.
I was in Selma yesterday on business, and I had a chance to reconnect with some good LoS friends - Pat and Butch Godwin. Pat tells me that mistress Heidi defamed and slandered her and Butch by name during said lovefest.
Discretion prevents me from saying more, but suffice it to say that our enemies are the lowest of the low and evil to the marrows of their rotten bones. May they repent and make restitution for their bad deeds. If not, may they roast in hell!!
With Bush condemning the attack on Georgia, has anyone written to remind him of the attack on the South. Could we get a letter to the UN or Russian Embassy to look into the situation?
The Russians vigorously codemn the attack by President Bush on the American South.
saddglegait wrote,
"To use the word "slavery" to invoke fear and hatred is just too sad."
And, for the SPLC, all too typical.
mark thomey,
Our enemies may be the lowest of the low and evil to their marrow, but they find the pay just too attractive.
Good to hear from you again.
david7134,
Well, there's one set of rules for the Great Liberator, and then there's another set for everybody else.
Watch Condi Rice and John Bolton when they speak, and notice how they shift effortlessly and unconsciously between the two standards. It's jaw-dropping.
vladmir,
It's good to have you on our side.
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