Linden, Ala. Newspaper Publisher Calls for the Klan to Ride; Jade’s Response

So, there's a Linden newspaper publisher who decided to write an editorial, saying the Klan should "ride again."  Read the article.

Many people are up in arms about it. Not me.

Here's why:

I don't live in a state of delusion that allows me to believe the Klan ever went away.
The Ku Klux Klan has always been driven by white supremacy, and any threat to it was met with extreme violence. Today, most of us would call this domestic terrorism; not white supremacists. They attempt to justify their actions by explaining that they're simply protecting themselves against a threat.

But if according to our nation's founding fathers, it is "self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," where is the threat?
Is it in the fear that another's pursuit of happiness might cause him to live a better life than someone else with the same opportunities? That others who choose to "be fruitful and multiply" (supremacist groups often use Biblical passages to justify their beliefs) might multiply at a high rate and eventually outnumber others? Even if that was the case, wouldn't the outnumbered still have the same rights? Regardless of numbers, these rights are given to every living person.

So, why call for the Klan to ride?

Some view the Klan as a group similar to other organizations who call for justice, like the NAACP. The vast difference is that groups like the NAACP, Justice League, etc. call for a change to policy, for practices to be fair... Not for use of violence and scare tactics to bring about change.

Even more, one would be insane to think that because supremacist groups aren't currently openly violent that they no longer exist. Some operate under the same old names. Others meet under guise of "clubs" and "federations." They decide what's best FOR THEM, not the greater good of society or even their communities, and they petition their local leaders for ordinances and regulations that are discriminatory, unfair, and unequal in attempt to stay ahead. Then, there are those who aren't a part of any group, but they hold some of the same ideals in their hearts and show their support when opportunities arise.

So, you want the Klan to ride and handle "Washington?" The Klan is in your heart, sir. Go ahead and get your ride on. Just don't let your now-recognizable face be seen in the wrong parts of the "Chocolate City," the same way people of my kind know that if we have a "from Point A to Point B vehicle," there are some areas we cannot drive and risk a breakdown, as we might not last until morning... Even in 2019.

A sad truth is that with all of the power Mr. Sutton has to reach the masses, he used it with a call for a hate group to handle business rather than using it to call for supporters to use policy for the change he wants to see.  He might see himself as a self-appointed vigilante. I see him as another word that starts with a V. Instead of being the change he wants to see and using his position of power in a constructive manner, he did just the opposite.  Real activists don't call for groups to handle their dirty work.  They get to the work themselves, and if others want to help, they help.

Mr. Sutton, you should be ashamed of yourself. I'm sure you're not, as when asked to elaborate, you suggested lynching.

"We'll get the hemp ropes out, loop them over a tall limb and hang all of them," Sutton said.

Yet, as much as I don't like the hate you hold in your heart-- only hate can allow a man to want to kill another over politics --I have to respect you.  At least you're open and honest about your feelings.  I'd rather deal with the person who makes his feelings known than the one who pretends while working underhandedly.