news-record.com

I don't know if the authors came up with the title or not, but it is fundamentally flawed. You can say that there is no place for racism and hate, but to say that their isn't any is naive and laughable. Some would suggest we live in some sort of post-racial society and that people like Obama and Mayor Johnson prove this. On the contrary this is clearly untrue, and anyone who even occasionally read this newspaper (which itself is skewed and racist) would be aware of that. There are NSM members living in Greensboro, not to mention countless other people who uphold white supremacy -including many police officers. To ignore this is to be totally unaware of the reality people face every day in this City. There is no place for racism, but we have to actively oppose it, not just pretend it doesn't exist and hope it goes away.

To think and believe that racism is dead, does not exist any longer in Greensboro or anywhere else, is truly a hocky puck thought! Racism is alive and well. Racism will always exist if nothing more than carried in the thoughts, hearts and conversations of people. I've been in public at shopping centers and overheard racist remarks by people standing near me. I've been in conversation standing in line to check out. Got into conversation with my neighbor in line. The neighbor, then makes racial comments about the cashier, preceived to be working too slow. I have live in Rockingham County since 5/93. I have been the victim of racist several times. I'm caucasion of Jewish parents. I was kicked off the Bethany Volunteer Fire Department after 3 years of service. The, then current fire chief actuaaly told me that the department did not want any Blacks, Chinese, Mexicans or Jews in its ranks. One thing I can say about former chief Tommy Purguson was that he was an honest racist. Most people doing that would disguise as mal-function in one's duties to get rid of a person of inferior genetic orgins. I mention this for venting the hurt that I still feel after a dozens years past. The thought hear is Racism will always exist as long as there are people that harbour thoughts that anyone that's cosmedically different than themselves view the person as inferior as themselves. And when these racist of similiar thoughts get together, then that's when the explosion of loud hatred will occur. Ignoring racism is no better than ignoring an illness in your body hoping it will just go away. IT WON"T! Like a disease, racism will just grow. And, keep this in mind, racist parent will begat racist children. Racist are not born. They are create in the world which they grow up in. Education in the young children is one way to start ending racism. One child at a time. The Dog's outa here.
Crimedog

Reading the two previous responses, I must admit that I agree with their thoughts. It is a shame that such thought of conduct, as well as, conduct of thought, still exsist in this community. It is not only with these white supremacists, but also, African American organizations, that instigate such actions within the community. But, we can't just blame our leaders for allowing this to go on, and on, and on. We, too, have any obligation to inititiate change of thought, conduct of thought. I believe in the strength of this community, and will defend this community when it comes to issues such as this. I, too, like many of us. See the hate in this community, the racism, the bigotry, the ignorance and lack of educated minds. So, do we allow these groups to enter into our communities and spew their venom? I hope not. And I pray that I will not see such venom spewed in this community.

Once one gets past the title - if one gets past the title - one reads the statement "Greensboro has no room for hate in our town!" And then, the authors affirm their desire to stand in unity with others and celebrate the rich diversity in our town. The article states very plainly that "A coalition of religious, business, government and community leaders committed to values of respect and inclusion met to discuss the appropriate response to a conference dedicated to spreading the ideas of hatred and exclusion." It seems no one is denying the presence of racism in this community. Rather, the objective here is to find an adequate response to a visiting group of racists. Various leaders in the community have decided what their response will be. Each individual must determine theirs - should they choose to respond at all. By choosing not to focus on a white supremacist group's activities, one is not necessarily ignoring the presence of racism. Quite possibly, some people choose to put their energy into fighting - on a daily basis as opposed to just one weekend - for health care for the poor, or educating the public about police brutality. These are more proactive means of addressing racism in our community. Rather than react to an already existing condition, one might find a peaceful means of affecting change. We could debate endlessly on the most effective means of response. In the end, we must respect the efforts of each other to strengthen diversity and elevate the impoverished and oppressed among us. We are on the same team. It is important to maintain respect and tolerance for each other as social justice representatives so that we can set examples for those who are unfamiliar with these concepts.