A Facebook friend posted from the AJC about the students in Klan hoods acting out at East Coweta High School.
Here's the picture.
I think the behavior is offensive. And, I said so. Then, things got interesting.
Let me quote.
"Not being the intended target Mike, it's easy for you to dismiss this as a simple insult. An insult is telling me you don't like my hairstyle or outfit. This my friend, is not just an insult. The klan is still alive and thriving throughout the south. I have no idea what these kids parents take them to on weekends. I have no idea what they have planned next. What I do know is that as a black woman in the south, I would feel threatened if I encountered someone dressed like this."
That wasn't enough.
"Agree: I see this outfit as equivalent to a T-shirt with the words "I will cut your throat and hang you from a tree if I can find a chance to do it without getting caught." Which is pretty much the entire point of the Klan hood, right?
So that's not a specific threat, unless you happen to be near this person and alone (in which case it's a pretty violent, gruesome threat)."
After some reflection, here's my reply to my friends.
I've thought about this several times today. I'd like to put the white man spin on it. Give me time to spell it out.
I know a young man of 35 with two little children. The man loves his wife and children. Those three people are the dearest things to him on the planet. Deep, deep down ... he knows ... in some way ... he's been blessed with more than he could possibly deserve. [That's the best I can do as far as sharing how I think the man feels about his very, very good life.]
IF a 'clown,' the word I used earlier, jumped out in front of his wife and children in a parking lot like this 'clown' did, my buddy would want some pay back. To him, this is an assault. Not a threat.
It is like pointing a gun at a person then running away.
That's how I will think of it from now on. It's how I will explain it to anyone and everyone. Should be a crime.
