I just wanted you to know I had read your heartfelt diary -- I'm sure others have, and like me are baffled about what to do about this.

I believe we are all better when we know the truth of our past.  I think the story of our country should be told fairly and objectively.  I wish our high school textbooks were more open about some of the bleaker parts of our nation's history. 

I can see a list of arguments for and against.  I guess the ultimate question is -- would it improve racial relations in that area if the story was brought out?  Perhaps if the story was brought out by a few respected community leaders, with appropriate acknowledgment of the gravity of the crimes that were committed.

I just don't have any definitive answer. 

 

I think the truth about what has occurred boggles the mind.  But, on a positive note I believe our country has made monumental advances compared to where we were 80 years ago.  That isn't to say that we can't advance further.

For example, I believe that we address issues of race, bigotry, and sexism more directly today.  Ask Imus - I think he may agree (now).  However, I also believe that you find double standards that I hope will be addressed.  I don't think anyone has a god-given right to foster hate or disrespect - no matter their color.  My personal belief is that some media outlets are keeping racism and sexism alive under the guise of popular culture.

Regarding the revelations of historical events where I am from, my fear is that picking at these old wounds won't help our nation advance and that it will divide us even more.  I think our past should be presented in a historical context and with respect for those who lived and in some cases died during that period.  The purpose of learning history should be to prevent us from repeating it - not to create villains and divide people.  Although there are clearly some villains in this tragic story.

I wouldn't want to present this in a way that says "people who live here are bad" because I know of many good people who originate from the south and from that very area.  My hope is that schools will shine some more light on the past but at the same time present how we have grown as a nation.  The great thing about democracy is that people spoke in one voice and moved our nation forward.  We tackled slavery and then lynchings in the 19th and early 20th century.  We tackled segregation and voting rights soon after.  My hope is that now we tackle poverty across all racial lines and continue to reaffirm what civil rights are all about.

Howard Zinn's "The History of the US" was the first comprehensive book I ever read which covered various methods of genocide and oppression in the US and still to this day, it's amazing how such horrors are minimized...
I mean can you imagine at anytime, for nothing, one could be forced out of one's home, murdered and there wasn't even a blink of an eye, much less consequence of justice?

Gives me the shudders.

Thanks for mentioning that book.

Have any of you heard of geocaching?  Essentially, it is where people plant "caches" (waterproof capsule) with notes and interesting items in them.  Each cache is marked by GPS coordinates and posted online (www.geocaching.com).  It has become a pastime for families - especially those traveling because they like to hunt for caches on the way to their destination.  It breaks up long trips.

In short, I could create a cache at each of the locations where someone was murdered and tell their story - perhaps a small marker that says who the victim was and a URL to their story.  People can then go back to the website and post a comment about their thoughts and experience - perhaps a note to the victim.

This would require some planning - learning the historical facts, finding the GPS coordinates, getting permission from private land owners if applicable, and creating the cache. 

So this isn't some expensive elaborate memorial, but I think it is a small way to show people that we still care about these issues.  It will also get kids and families involved through a hobby enjoyed by many.

And if you haven't heard of geocaching, I encourage you to check that out also.  Great hobby that gets people outdoors.

As for the process you're going through, it takes a great deal of courage and honesty to face the dark side of what is our collective heritage in a truthful way. It's not something that you can expect to do overnight..

We had an interesting discussion on this matter this afternoon.  In summary, we agree that innocent people were killed brutally and unjustly.  We speculate that someone who wasn't so innocent was lynched - but we will never know all the facts surrounding his alleged crimes because this man will never have his day in court.  Legally he must be presumed innocent. 

This is the problem with mob rule - the truth doesn't usually come out.  This is why it is important to work within the framework of our laws as history will look back and have a big question mark. 

We are both relieved that none of our direct relatives were involved, however direct relatives (one living today) did see the results of the murders and at least one man hanging after the fact.

Looking back, it is easy to see how mob violence starts.  Take Iraq for example and the ethnic related atrocities that occur there.  I think the lynchings and racism grew until it boiled over in violence.  History is repeating itself in Iraq - and will continue to repeat itself as long as man harbors hatred. 

In any event, we are meeting at the farm at the end of May, will visit the sites, hopefully find more historical information, and reflect upon what happened and why.  I should have one cache ready by then.

Most alarming to me is how recent this events are.  I believed that most lynchings occurred during or shortly after the American Civil War.  That they occurred into the 1920s and were in the vacinity of the family farm is very alarming to me.

I think yours is a great idea to pursue.

One person can have an effect.  Here's an example of a famous person perhaps moving a country into motion.  But John Q. Person can start a small avalanche.

The big avalanche -- Mia Farrow writes an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal telling Steven Spielberg (as artistic director for China in the 2008 Olympics) that China is the key player in the Darfur/Sudan tragedy.  (China has extensive business dealings with the Sudan).  And she tells Spielberg that he can move the Chinese mountain, and that China's Olympics may be recalled as the Genocide Olympics.  Spielberg writes a letter to the President of China, who sends a top delegate to the Sudan.  What's happening now is behind diplomatic doors.  But read the story.  It's fascinating.http://www.iht.com/a...