Jonathan Farley: Remnants of the Confederacy glorifying a time of tyranny 
By JONATHAN DAVID FARLEY


Wednesday November 20, 2002

Letters to the Editor,

Congratulations for publishing the clearest view of the Nathan Forrest (the Confederate founder of the Ku Klux Klan) controversy I have ever read.

Dr. Farley is amazing in his insight, and his courage in reporting the truth is refreshing.  How long must we endure the racism of the 'old South' who refuses to admit what really happened in our Nation's history.

I long wondered why we cannot eradicate racism in America.  Dr. Farley gives one explanation.  Unlike the victors of WWII who hung the Nazi conspirators, the United States rewarded the Confederate traitors by reserving for them hallowed grounds instead of the gallows.

The other explanation, of course, is because America has an insatiable appetite for slavery, and therefore Blacks can only serve massa in prison or in war.  (Blacks make up 12% of America's population but more than 40% of the prison population and 40% of the military.  In combat, we are 60%.)


If we are ever to live up to our creed that 'all men are created equal', we, including the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC), must admit that racism in all its forms - overt, subtle, and institutionalized lives in America.  It lives in the statue of Nathan Forrest and it lives in the name 'Confederate Memorial Hall'.  Give freedom a chance and pull down the statue and keep the name 'Memorial Hall'.

Donna Jo Warren is a native of South Central Los Angeles and a former Green Party candidate for Lt. Governor of California (www.donnawarren.com).  She may be reached at cottry@worldnet.att.net.


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 From: Michael Berler 
 To: 'Donna Jo Warren' 
 Sent: Friday, November 22, 2002 11:39 AM
 Subject: My Letter to the Editor


 Dear Editor,

  

 The fact that taking down the statue and renaming "Confederate Memorial Hall" are the subject of any debate at all, shows, the inveterate racism that still exists in Southern states, despite all the politically-correct window-dressing that has been erected.  Such insensitivity to the hatred and discrimination these symbols represent would not be tolerated in Washington, DC, except by the likes of Jesse Helms.  The whole doctrine of  "States' Rights" itself is a license to continue unacceptable practices of discrimination in areas of the nation where bigotry still exists in all its glory.

  

 If these symbols are allowed to stay in place, than the presence of Black Politicians at all levels of government in the South, and indeed the right to vote, have not done nearly enough to provide equal treatment to the disenfranchised.

  

 Mr. Farley is to be commended for his courage and his eloquence in defense of what is right.

  

 Michael Berler

 Los Angeles,CA

 Registered Green Party Voter

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