April 23, 2016. A Neo-Nazi group from Michigan came to my small college town of Rome, GA. These Neo-Nazis, called the National Socialist Movement, brought their friends the Klu Klux Klan, Aryan Nation and Racial Nationalist Party.
These extremists came and faced a crowd of protestors numbering over 800 throughout the day. Over the course of 3 hours I heard a myriad of childish racially-charged names like "Monkey" in reference to the black protestors.
There is a disconnect in reading about injustices and hatred on the internet while having your jaw drop as you look at your phone screen and in experiencing injustices and hatred being shouted at you from 25 yards away: this was a minor and safe occurrence. Through going to this rally I walked away with several ideas:
1. "Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Martin Luther King Jr.
Once the "Turn Your Back On Hate" protestors left the anti-rally in a march of silence those that remained at the anti-rally yelled back at the Neo-Nazis as they spoke. Several of the people yelled obscenities, threats and empty school-yard names. This quote by Dr. King continued to ring in my head during the rally.
2. Everyone deserves their First Amendment rights.
While these extremists are the minority in Rome and had bigoted and hateful remarks and philosophies, they deserve to have and observe the First Amendment.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
The purpose of the First Amendment is for a healthy version of democracy and without opposing ideas, are we really able to progress our nation as a whole through philosophy and intelligence? I believe not. Without an opposing view, how can anyone be sure of their position on any issue? These extremists make us stronger.
After the rally, everyone on the anti-rally side had made at least one friend that day. Whether it was an "Amen, brother" or a "Can you believe that bull?". The Rome community walked away from the KKK and other extremists groups with a unified mindset of protesting and brotherly love. It was a threatening and beautiful day of brotherhood in Rome, Ga - and not just for the Klan.
3. The law enforcement do vary from town to town.
These police officers were mainly white with one black officer right before the microphone set up for the Neo-Nazis. At one portion of the event, one speaker said, "These cops out here are here to protect you [black protestors]." I cannot imagine what that police officer was thinking in that moment, looking at his fellow people of color and knowing that the man's statement was correct. Unfortunately, throughout history whenever a white man committed a hate crime toward people of color, the minorities were the ones punished.
Another Neo-Nazi rally took place on the same day in Stone Mountain, Ga. Here the police were not as finely organized nor were as prepared to deal with close-contact between the Neo-Nazi members and the anti-rally protestors.
4. People will use the Bible to prove their point forever.
The Bible has been used as ammunition in wars, in raging dinner conversations and in race rallies as justification for hatred or expelling of one group. People use the Bible as a reason to hate homosexuals, a reason to hate other religions and a reason to hate multi-racial people. According to Christian theology, the Bible's main purpose is for love. Anything against that is a moot point (if you ask me).
“You shall keep my statutes. You shall not let your cattle breed with a different kind. You shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed, nor shall you wear a garment of cloth made of two kinds of material." Leviticus 19:19
However, two can play it that way...
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise." Galations 3:28-29
Regardless of who is Bible-bashing who, anyone can pick up the Bible read it for what he or she wishes to get out of a verse and then use it to backup their twisted and crazy ways. Religion has supported too many hate-filled endeavors over the centuries. I won't use the Word of God to spew hatred toward others.
