At 9:44 AM -0500 10/5/04, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:While I find the whole supremacy thing as vile as you do, I was glad to have been informed that there are people such as him in our midst.
I just read the article online - but have not seen the print version. I thought the article was good.
As the list manager of this forum, I may be somewhat sympathetic to the newspaper in this regard. Its the newspapers job to tell us what is happening in our community and to report on it in as neutral and unbiased manner as they are able (I assume and expect some bias in any article written by humans).
Some of us will be offended at any coverage of a White Supremist, which does not overtly make that person look like a monster or sociopath. I understand this reaction, but disagree with it. Its my general opinion, that individuals who appear very thoughtful and sometimes respected, can sometimes hold very extreme and frightening points of view. I happen to think that this is true and is important for us all to understand.
If we assume and treat "white supremacy" as if it is the exclusive domain of "freaks and monsters," then we blind ourselves to the reality of what is happening in our community and cripple our own ability to respond to it. I see the article as having exposed a dangerous force in our midst - allowing us as a community to respond or deal with it in an informed manner.
As the list manager, I try to strongly enforce a code of civility and respect for individuals. However, I do not prohibit or object to the expression of a political ideas which others find hateful or bigoted. I've been told that to allow such viewpoints in our forum is to give them credibility. Of which there might be some truth, but I fear that by hiding them or forcing them underground, we risk an even greater danger. Those that we refer to as "racists" or "bigots" are a part of our community and we need to hear their message and acknowledge their presence - so that we are able to respond accordingly.
I understand the alternative viewpoint - that suggests that we should ignore these folks and deny them any exposure in hope of suffocating their ideas. I'm just very skeptical of that strategy and tend to disagree.
This is a very short response to a very deep and difficult issue, but hopefully it will add something to the discussion.
Best wishes,
Tim Erickson Hamline Midway [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Tim Erickson http://www.politalk.com St. Paul, MN - USA 651-643-0722
[EMAIL PROTECTED] iChat/AIM: stpaultim
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