A couple weeks ago I wrote about an incident at the University that my son attends.
A quick recap –
A couple months ago.
Some students saw fit to drape a “confederate” flag on the outside of the door in the dormitory, claiming that it was an entreaty to the student population to engage them in a “conversation” about the indignity of this “American” symbol being impugned.
A couple months later, during the last week of February, some mystery person scrawled a message on the white board of the same door that the “flag” was displayed:
A direct threat against the African-American members of the student body…
To kill all of the N____!
Understandably, I was incensed and concerned as this was the last thing that I expected my son to contend with in the halls of learning.
A couple of days after publishing “Stepping out from behind the Shield“, one of the young men who lived in the room reached out commenting on the piece.
Expressing a desire – to get his point across and in doing so, he essentially doubled down on the intolerance and ignorance that this symbol represents.
What I found especially galling was his claim of not being aware of the history surrounding the flag and the backlash that ensued because of it.
In his discourse he wondered (in paraphrase):
“Why are people looking at me like a narrow-minded bigot?“
When I responded to his entreaty and he replied shortly thereafter, his demeanor was markedly different as he stated that he came to my E-domain to get his:
“Point across and not to get a history lecture from me.”
Was he to be pitied, as a victim in a situation that he served as proverbial fuse for?
I found his contention to be laughable at best, so I deleted the exchanges.
Besides, this is ShunPwrites.com (at least it was last time I checked).
Stand by…
I just did a double check and it still is...
In lieu of this incident going small scale viral on social media, a local TV station picked up on it, interviewed my son and did a report on it.
The only way that racism, intolerance and its kindred spirits can be vanquished is by the empowered acting a mirror to its rancid countenance.
We are better than this – aren’t we?
If we aren’t – shouldn’t we be?
Shun P. Writes... dot com 
Although I’m glad to hear that the administration and the TV station are looking into this incident, I’m wondering if your son is safe there living across from these racist idiots who are now turning defensive?
I’m not surprised by the young man’s justifications and turning to social media to plead his ” I didn’t know/didn’t do anything wrong attitude”. Perhaps he truly is just an uninformed college freshman thinking he was adding the cool factor to his room. But if that was sincerely the case, then he would have felt repentant and apologized and made ammends, rather that attack you.
But look at the press and following Trump is getting…Amy Goodman pointed out that he got 23 times the amount of coverage than any other Republican candidate…so free publicity for spreading hate and violence. That’s a very powerful example to set.
I hope the school does do something about it and your son is able to stay safe and enjoy his college experience…and this world grows up to embrace the truth of Oneness and equaliry.
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Yes, this current political cycle is very sobering and is a sad testament to the resilience of vile invective. But – as long as we push back against it… We will endure and continue to evolve as we always have.
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I am also incensed on your behalf, that of your son and all of us. I am appalled at what is going on.
Better than this? I cannot believe in 2016 that we are still having to ask this question.
What is going on in this country!!!
Stay safe. These people are insane.
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For lack of a better word Beth – the twisted nature of the perpetrator(s) to feign ignorance and cry victim was mind-numbing to say the least.
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I find it frightening. I remember the Jim Crow South and the Holocaust.
Are these people OK with all that?
Horrible thought.
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Bone chilling.
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We should be better than all of it. But as a whole, we are not, unfortunately. Thank you for bringing attention and discussion to the issue. It takes bravery–and you have it in spades.
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Kay, you honor me me with your kind words my friend!
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