Charlottesville: What You Can Do Now

By Phil Noble

Most everyone was outraged by what happened in Charlottesville. If you are in that tiny sliver of humanity that was not outraged, well…

It is only human to react by asking, “What can I do?”

The Southern Poverty Law Center has been successfully fighting the KKK, neo-Nazi and white supremacy organizations since 1971. If you don’t know about them and their courageous founder, Morris Dees, you should. (www.SPLCenter.org). Go to their site and learn about hate groups in the county and in South Carolina, and what you can do. Make a donation, too.
Full disclosure: Morris has been a personal hero of mine and inspiration for over 40 years. There is no human being alive in America today who has risked their life more directly and longer in the fight “to ensure that the promise of the civil rights movement becomes a reality for all.” We first met and worked together on Gary Hart’s 1984 presidential campaign and later he helped get my father’s book published, “Beyond the Burning Bus”, about his experience in civil rights in Alabama in the 1960s.

Right after Charlottesville, the SPLC published “10 Ways to Fight Hate: A Community Response Guide” and bought full page ads in many major newspapers around the country to get people involved. Below is a summary of the 10 Ways. On their website, there is much more detailed information about each of the 10 Ways and some specific things you and your community can do.

ACT – Do something. In the face of hatred, apathy will be interpreted as acceptance by the perpetrators, the public, and — worse — the victims. Community members must take action; if we don’t, hate persists.

JOIN FORCES – Reach out to allies from churches, schools, clubs, and other civic groups. Create a diverse coalition. Include children, police, and the media. Gather ideas from everyone, and get everyone involved.

SUPPORT THE VICTIMS – Hate crime victims are especially vulnerable. If you’re a victim, report every incident — in detail — and ask for help. If you learn about a hate crime victim in your community, show support. Let victims know you care. Surround them with comfort and protection.

SPEAK UP – Hate must be exposed and denounced. Help news organizations achieve balance and depth. Do not debate hate group members in conflict-driven forums. Instead, speak up in ways that draw attention away from hate, toward unity.
EDUCATE YOURSELF – An informed campaign improves its effectiveness. Determine if a hate group is involved, and research its symbols and agenda. Understand the difference between a hate crime and a bias incident.

CREATE AN ALTERNATIVE – Do not attend a hate rally. Find another outlet for anger and frustration and for people’s desire to do something. Hold a unity rally or parade to draw media attention away from hate.

PRESSURE LEADERS – Elected officials and other community leaders can be important allies. But some must overcome reluctance — and others, their own biases — before they’re able to take a stand.

STAY ENGAGED – Promote acceptance and address bias before another hate crime can occur. Expand your comfort zone by reaching out to people outside your own groups.

TEACH ACCEPTANCE – Bias is learned early, often at home. Schools can offer lessons of tolerance and acceptance. Host a diversity and inclusion day on campus. Reach out to young people who may be susceptible to hate group propaganda and prejudice.

DIG DEEPER – Look inside yourself for biases and stereotypes. Commit to disrupting hate and intolerance at home, at school, in the workplace and in faith communities.

There is nothing here that we all can’t do. And, we all should.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Nuc-Gate Update – Two weeks ago, this column was South Carolina’s Nuclear Meltdown: What Next, Who Pays? In the column, I called on members of the legislature to: 1) donate all contributions from SCANA, Santee Cooper and the electric co-op to a charity, and 2) disclose all retainers, consulting fees or any other money they or their immediate family received from these companies.

I’m happy to report some progress – a little. Democratic Rep. Russel Ott, announced that he was going to return his campaign contributions from SCANA and Republican Rep. Bill Hixon said he returned all of his donations from both SCANA and SC Electric Co-op. Both men are on the new House committee appointed to investigate the nuclear scandal. Other members of the committee (and the whole legislature) should follow their lead. Thank you, gentlemen.
This is a great first step. Unfortunately, no other legislators have come forward to say they would return or donate the campaign contributions. Further, we know of no legislator who has disclosed any other payments they have received from the utilities.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

We deserve better.

Phil Noble has a technology firm in Charleston, is founder of World Class Scholars and writes a weekly column for the S.C. Press Association. Reach him at phil@philnoble.com and get his columns at www.PhilNoble.com.

Author: Duane Childers

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