Posted on 05/31/2005 4:42:25 PM PDT by Libloather
Durham Leaders Gather To Discuss Cross Burnings
POSTED: 11:25 am EDT May 30, 2005
DURHAM, N.C. -- Leaders in Durham gathered Sunday night to plan an event in response to the three crosses that were burned last week. But what was supposed to be a forum, turned into a heated discussion.
"We have to be intelligent enough to make decisions that will keep the community calm," Reverend G.I. Allison said.
But to many who were present, Durham's cross burnings were symptomatic of a problem that they believe already existed.
"We have to have a conversation about how race is destroying the city," said Carl Kenney, a writer from Durham.
Recent events, he said, have brought racial issues front and center.
Brian Azar, who's a member of the Durham human relations commission, added: "I've gotten as much racism as a white person from blacks, as you've gotten. Some of you blacks, from whites. And some of you as Hispanics, from both blacks and whites."
**SNIP**
A gang youth minister was there to say the cross burnings were not related to gangs.
"These kids want something to do but they're not gonna burn no crosses," Marvin Jones said. "Matter of fact, they're not gonna spend money to buy the wood."
Reverend Charles Smith, an NAACP leader in Durham, said the meeting was not what he expected.
"It's a mixed up meeting -- talking about this and that," Smith said.
Reverend Smith was hoping to hear more about the status of the case. And, he hoped there would be more discussion about the planning for a "Reconciliation Rally" the community plans to hold next weekend.
(Excerpt) Read more at wral.com ...
An Episcopal church in Durham erected this Easter cross in response to the three crosses that were recently burned.
DURHAM, N.C. -- A Durham congregation is countering a message of hate with a message of love.
Three large crosses were found burning in Durham last week -- one near St. Luke's Episcopal Church.
The church has responded by erecting an Easter cross.
"Someone intended to send a message of evil, but we will send a message of good," said Bishop Michael Curry.
While St. Luke's Episcopal Church doesn't feel it was a target of the cross burnings, it does feel a responsibility to reclaim what some say has left a dark mark on Durham.
"We reach out to those who burn the cross and say, 'No, you don't need to burn a cross. You don't need to be afraid,'" Curry said.
Episcopalian leaders believe the cross burnings were placed in high-traffic areas so they could be seen.
Church leaders said their Easter cross, which is visible from I-85, would be up for only a day or two. After coming together to heal, they said, the community must move on.
"I hope they see we're peaceful and loving, and that we care about our community," Lorraine Haskell, a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, said.
DURHAM, N.C. -- A group in Durham will apply for an emergency grant and use it to help ease tensions after three cross burnings.
Police found fliers referencing the Ku Klux Klan near one of the crosses. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the cases as a hate crime.
The grant will help with community mobilizations and meetings to build a commission.
A reconciliation rally is planned for Sunday in Durham.
Can anybody account for Sen. Sheets whereabouts last week?
Klukkers, DUmmies or Muslims?
my guess would be Klukkers
I lived in that area for four years, worked in Durham (opened the Hilton) and I couldn't have been more happy when I left.
I hated Durham. I really hated Chapel Hill. Living near Cary wasn't too bad though. My wife and I couldn't decide who we detested more...the liberal easteners or the liberal northerners.
I'm not from the area, but the same thought struck me. I have a feeling that this might be a deliberate attempt to imitate the Klan in hopes of stirring up more trouble.
I'd like a ping if anyone happens to be monitoring the situation.
My mother was born and raised near downtown, Father was from Granville Co, and I lived and grew up there. I live now in the DC area.
Back in '91, I drove into Pittsboro - maybe 30 miles south of Durham. As soon as I crested a hill, opening a view of the city circle, I instantly noticed that it was surrounded by white-hooded folks - even kids. They do exist. Scariest thing I've ever seen with these eyes...
the local Klukker Krew showed up when I lived in Waynesboro, PA.
Talk about inbreds!!!! These guys were having issues stringing words into a sentence. My uncles were down from Detroit and my mother was there, so the entire Catholic contingent of my family was there just about. It was .... different...
Pittsboro is NOT Durham. I find it very hard to believe that those white trash would muster the energy the go to Durham. I lived in Durham for 30 years and I NEVER saw a klansmann in Durham.
I don't think they just walk around in their white garb - unless they have a group meeting. How do you explain the three, perfectly timed, anonymous cross burnings in that town? Possibly a few pranksters having a big night - eh? C'mon...
Darn thing was - I HAD to go through Pittsboro's city circle to git where I was goin'. I felt SO sorry for those kids - no matter how many teeth they had missing...
I agree with you. Think we need to wait and see WHO did this and if it was the Klan or someone mimicking them.
Was this when Clinton talked about church burnings that never happened?
LOL!!
Don't worry, if my experience in Waynesboro is in any way similar to yours, THEY probably didn't realize missing teeth was a bad thing LOL
I lived in Durham from 1981-84. I hope things have changed since then. Yje N word was heard more often than I care to recall.
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