Saturday, July 01, 2006

Miller says 600 racist papers distributed in Joplin

When you put a blog on the world-wide web, you have no control over who reads its content. A few moments ago, while checking on some of the search engine requests and website links that lead people to The Turner Report, I discovered some of the people who are responsible for distribution of the White Patriot Leader newspaper were checking in, undoubtedly to see if they have any received any publicity from their distribution earlier this week in Joplin.
On the message board of this site, Frazier Glenn Miller, Aurora, said 600 papers were distributed in Joplin. Whether that's true or not, I have no idea, but 600 does not seem to be a number anyone would make up. Miller, as you recall, is the candidate no one wanted, an avowed racist who lost his court battle to put his name on the Democratic ballot for Seventh District Congress, and was also rejected by the Republicans and Libertarians.
Our constitution gives Miller the right to distribute his materials, no matter how vile and hateful they may be. There is a school of thought that says news media should simply not publicize what these people do; without publicity, they'll dry up and fade away.
History, however, teaches us that when we allow hate mongers to go about their business uncontested, we open the door for them to continue to spread their venom.
I have been fortunate enough during my seven years as a classroom teacher to have taught students of many races and nationalities. I do not appreciate anyone who calls minority students or their family members inferior. They are not. In America, we judge by merit and by accomplishment, not by color of skin or ethnic background.
What makes America great is that we thrive on our diversity and we succeed, not in spite of it, but because of it.
When Frazier Glenn Miller had the temerity to name his newspaper the White Patriot Leader, he was right on only one of three counts. He's white as he is so pleased to tell us, but he is neither a patriot nor a leader.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amen!

Anonymous said...

"In America, we judge by merit and by accomplishment, not by color of skin or ethnic background."

Kinda puts a damper on affirmative action then doesn't it?