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Submit your comments on Forgotten Fires. Selected submissions will be posted here, so check back regularly and join the discussion. This TalkBack section is a free forum for independent thoughts and ideas. The views reflected are those of the individuals who submit their comments. They are not the opinions of ITVS or PBS, respectively. 10/22/99 Perry Powell Man is his own worst enemy. Racist only prove this point. The real enemy is within the human heart not outside. Evil proceeds from the heart of mankind and so does good, we just need to lose the evil before it too late. History proves that no matter if the world was all one race or many it wouldn't solve this mystery of evil that drives man to war, divisions, hatred and perpetual misery. Men 10/22/99 It really does make my stomach when I see mentally ill people. Put down other people. Whether they are black, asian, native american, haspanic, white, or african. God has placed all of us here in this country for a purpose. We all can get together and have peace. We all are trully blessed to be alive in times like this simply, because we are alive. As Americans we all have a obligation to mend, by the grace of God, to help the broken spirits, the confused minds, and this country. We must get back to the basics of what it was like for mankind to live in harmony with eachother. Which does envolve blacks forgiving whites for oppressing them. And whites forgiving themselves and quit making those invisible barriers that are tangible. Once we do this we will all see that we are all alike and the only differences that we do have maybe the pigment of our skin. 10/21/99 wainger seymour i donot believe that the world will be corrupted by the year 2000.because if every can put away there selfishness about different colour maybe this world would be a better place.if people would stop talking so negative about black and white maybe this world would be a better place.and there won't have to be corruption at the year 2000. 10/10/99 April A. J. Wise Lima, Ohio I don't like how the KKK says it has a Christian backround of beliefs,"it" doesn't and I have the verses to PROVE it! It is wrong what they are doing and Christians who have a chance should protest and tell them they are wrong in their beliefs. If they don't and that it is what they are called to do, than they are denying Christ in front of men. If you are not for Christ, and do not stand up for Him in front of men, than you are in danger of HELL. ... . I'd like to say thanks to this site on the web for standing up and being against the KKK. Thanks. 10/7/99 Thomas Ames Corydon IN. The governments relentless attempts to disarm the American people is what I believe will trigger a race war. Once the people rise up against a tyrannical government,it will be open season on all who is to blame including minorities. They are the ones responsible for most of the violent crime in America and I believe that someday they will be forced to accept respondsibility for their peoples actions as a whole. Bottem line:Control your people or pay dearly. 10/7/99 Kevin Stringfield Tyler Tx. A race war will never fall upon the American people. Those who are sitting at home, polishing their Smith & Wesson, and waiting for this MYTH to happen, should go ahead and turn their arsenal on themselves. 10/6/99 Pedro Godreau Phoenix,Az. You mentioned poverty and fear but,left out a very important reason and that is ignorance in general and lack of parental guidance missing in many lives today. 10/5/99 Herman G. Walker, Jr. Anchorage, Ak. I agree with Michael's premis, historically this is a proven fact. The poor can not learn that there is no difference between human beings, if they see that some people can feed and educate their families while they can't. Poverty sickens the mind such that it is easier to blame a whole group for your position in life. Our society has prospered in the last 15 years, but the gap between rich and poor and been exacerbated. The imperical evidence suggests there is a correlation between the increased poverty level and the atrocities that are being committed today. Why after almost forty years since the passage of the civil rights bill do we have people lynching Blacks and, dragging them behind cars. Its because we as a society have forgotten where we came from. Even Martin Luther King recognized that poverty was the incubator for hate groups. And, until we as a nation address poverty the millineum will not bring forth new riches and enlightenment. Instead it will bring forth a race war, violence and destruction of the human spirit. It is inevitable because poverty defeats the human spirit and takes away peoples dignity. As we go into the millineum we will have more children living at poverty level than ever before. So what does the future hold? 10/5/99 Herman G. Walker, Jr. Anchorage, Ak. I did not see the very beginning of the program. However, what I did see was an encouragement to me. As a human being first and an African American second, I am thankful for programs that illuminate racism and hatred, which has become subterfuge in our society. This program illustrates the compassion and forgiving nature of African Americans. As we march into the millineum it is ashame that racist organizations still carry the day. The national press, whose job it is to illuminate and expose hate groups, is letting our nation down by glancing over these issues and pursuing soap opera issues. Thank goodness for individuals like Michael Chandler. Who, out of disgust for our press, have the courage to pursue and expose these atrocites. But, he did more than expose the KKK, his story exposed hope. It illustrates that all of us can change if we understandand feel the harm our actions cause to others. Thank you for a wonderful program. 10/2/99 EJ Walker Mesa, AZ I stand in total disbelief of people's total self involvement. I am a 48 year old white woman raised in south Louisiana just outside of New Orleans. My parents one of which is from Oklahoma and the other Minnesota never once implied by action nor word that we as white people were better or worse than anyone else. My high school was all white at the end of my freshman year and intergrated at the beginning of the next. I don't remember anyone doing or saying anything to anyone. I do remember that blacks had to go the back door of restaurants, that blacks had to use seperate bathrooms and drinking fountains, that the majority of blacks lived in very poor housing and drove very old cars or walked. I do remember being run off the road by a car driven by white trash and helped out of the ditch by two black men who fixed my bike and helped me on my way. I never could figure out why some whites felt they were better than blacks and treated men, women and children as less than nothing. I was once asked by a good friend if I knew the meaning of the word nigger? I shook my head no. His response was, "It means low down dirty dog." 10/2/99 Charles E. Shortsleeve I Fitchburg, Massachusetts hate in any form is anti-social and is spread by totally demented individuals. some in congress are responsible and as CLINTON HATERS they set a bad example. 10/1/99 R. Dale Long Chattanooga, Tennessee History will show Timothy Welch as one of the most influencial leaders in the struggle to end hate. His transformation is spiritual. "I could make sure he wan't botherd." I wish you happiness, Timothy Welch. You have changed my heart and for that I am thankful. 10/1/99 Remember when you were in school? Remember when you picked on somone, or got picked on? The reason people do that is the same reason racism exists today. People want to feel better than somebody else, to feel that they are more important than everyone else. After all isn't everything in society based on self-worth? You should be "proud of yourself". Maybe pride isn't such a good thing. Maybe if we learned to put others first, to help out other people, we would be held high in other's eyes, not just our own. I once read somewhere that "There is not a man that stands so tall, as one who stoops to help his brother." 10/1/99 James O. Columbia, South Carolina I believe poverty is a major reason for hate in the United States. The lack of advantages to anyone will cause them to seek someone to blame for their shortcomings. When a person feels trapped by their poverty, their hunger, and their desperation, they want to ease these pains with the confidence that hate, vulgarity, and scapegoating provide. It is very easy to get lost inside a world of hate when you have no pride in yourself. I personally feel that all that are involved in hate groups and supremacy organizations simply lack the education and confidence to set goals for themselves and determine that they can acheive whatever they want with hard work and determination. Any man of any race can acheive his goals in today's society. There will be those that want to stand in the way but if you have strength, courage, and faith, you will conquer the naysayers and move forward, now and always. 10/1/99 I do not see financial poverty as a major cause of hate. I have seen much of that poverty and very, very little of the hate. The hate is caused by misperceptions of danger from things we don't really understand. I see a problem in race relations now is this: I was raised very liberal -- we are all the same under the skin. I raised my children that way. Now I am bombarded by minority spokepeople who want to celebrate the differences. There are many Blacks who are racist toward whites, other minorities and even other shades of black. My son's girlfriend is Black. Her family tells me this is true even among their family. I am confused about what my attitude should be. Is it wrong for whites to segregate minorities but okay for them to self-segregate? We must include everyone as Americans but they can have their own exclusive clubs as well? At this time I am just trying to do everything on a case by case basis but that is awkward when you really think about it. I understand that I am pre-judged as a hillbilly and I am willing to work on changing that every chance I get. It is a confusing time for all of us. 10/1/99 Louisville, Kentucky I think the blacks are pushing the envelope too far. As the old saying goes, "Give em an inch and they take a mile". After all this time they are still begging for more. What is this "African-American" stuff? We can see they are black. Really, we need to distinguish between "Irish-American" - "Italian-American" etc. Why can't they just settle in and be AMMERICANS? Needless to say, more and more Americans are getting tired of them tellinjg us what to do. As for the local PBS stations, they seem to be arms of the NAACP. Why is "COLORED" still in the tag when it is policically incorrect? J. Jackson stirs up more hate than peace. 10/1/99 I am a member of the Sons Of Confederate Veterans,i am not a racist, I am totally against white supremist groups.I don't understand why people can not get along with each other. I am into cleaning and replacing old gravestones for the old veterans of the south or of the north. I do not like the use of the old confederate flag by hate groups. We are all human beings and we should respect others. We won't and will never all agree on things but we should be able to voice our opinions. 10/1/99 Candy I think that people who are racist are uneducated about others. They only think about what they have heard or seen. They stereotype others and it is totally wrong. Everybody hates it when people think they are dumb. So why shouldn't African Americans, Japanese, etc. get upset with us. I'm only 16 years old so I don't expect my voice to be heard but at least I can try. They have done nothing to us but try to better themselves. We only look at the skin not the inside. Don't they have the same organs, isn't their blood red, are they missing any body parts? NO, they are no different. I mean look at a box of crayons. They are different colors and they get along. They don't argue about being pink, blue or purple. They are just trying to make it in a world that doesn't accept them. If God wanted us to be the same then he wouldn't have given us different hair color, eye color and languages. 9/23/99 Aaron Pagdon East Meadow, NY First and foremost, praises to the production team of "Forgotten Fires" on its presentation. In response to the discussion questions above: 1. Horace King's vision of a race war on American soil is a marginalized view of a deeper social issue. While there is certain to be racially motivated violence in increasing numbers in the coming years, an all-out war scenario is preposterous. The middle class (of all races) would never participate in such a conflict, does not adopt the extreme views of either the left or the right, and this alone is enough to prevent a total race war. The total race war scenario is a phantom used by hate groups to incite their sheep to action, as it was when Charles Manson played his pawns to kill for him and is today in the Christian Identity manipulation of Biblical scripture. It is becoming clear on a macro scale that we are transitioning from a nationalistic, ethno-racial compartmentalized society to a global, multi-ethno-racial, unified world culture. This indellible historical destiny (see Spengler's Decline of The West) is resisted by those who hold onto to Old World views. They will react violently to this change. The organization and action of hate groups are the death throes of a dying culture. The greatest challenge ahead that we as a nation face is the maintenance of social stability as those unwilling to go along with the Destiny of this planet do their best to derail it. Sound like New World Order speak? It is. 2. Due to Timothy Welch's young age, he is more capable of reform than a Horace King, who has been programmed from birth. He is certainly capable of repentence and should be given that opportunity. His age alone should allow him the pliance of mind to re-assess his beliefs and his actions. 3. Our present social organization makes class inextricably linked with race. Poverty is the stepping stone and the greatest enabler to violence, anti-social beliefs and discontent. The historical examples are too numerous to be mentioned. Direct attention must be payed to socio-economic issues affecting all races (including white). Education and governmental provisions are imperative in preventing the further proliferation of violence among the poor. 9/2/99 Kenneth C. Beck Eastman, Ga. 31023 A race war in this country is of a real possibility. Groups such as the NaaCP whom spend there time trying to destory the history of the South instead of helping its people only drive a wedge between the races. When the day comes that both white and black stand up and point to the racisim of both races then we may see a change. As for now all the so called black leaders what is for white America to sit down, shut up and let them have there way. I do not promote hatred or unlawful acts but todays youth of all races are being sent wrong messages by our goverment and people who are soppose to be role modles. Respect is something earned. It can't be given to anyone. 8/25/99 quitall sacramento, ca Bigotry has been present since the time of the Emancipation Proclamation.This form of bias has affected all walks of life.The bombing of churches and the killings of people of various races and that of sexual preference is very disturbing to me. It disturbs me that a country such as the United States of America which was supposed to have been built on christianity, would still be in the barbaric ages. I believe that people are not born prejudiced. Prejudice is a learned behavior. This learned behavior can be altered or changed. I believe that some parents raise their children to be prejudiced toward other people who are not like themselves. I think that the children are the ones who are going to hurt in the end. The hands of immigrants helped to build this country, not prejudjice.The United States citizens should learn how to love and appreciate people of various cultures and sub cultures in America and abroad. 8/17/99 Adam When are you gonna start talking about black on white hate crime? Believe it or not, IT HAPPENS! 8/13/99 Dale Leo Seguin Milwaukee Wisconsin We will not defeat hatred until we have a better understanding of it's foundation. When people begin to understand the thoughts we send out we keep for ourselves. Thusly when we veiw others in a hostile way we keep that type of thinking for ourselves.To begin to end our hostile ways of thinking we have to begin to understand that how we feal is a result of our inner thoughts about outter events and our fealings are not caused by the events. Our beleif that it is the event that causes our emotions is a fudemental mistake in our thinking that needs correcting. I have spent over thirty years studing my inner thought state. That process has aided me in becoming a non-hostile human which is precisely where we end up when we become willing to drop all hostile thinking.Heaven itsef is a non-hostile inner condition and not an outter location. Lovingly yours Dale Leo Seguin 8/13/99 Jeanette Coyle FT. Pierce, FL Hate/Fear speech permeates the politcal scene, There is no wrong or right absolutes, this creats self pity, envy, vengence,poor against the rich,female against the male and division of the races,instant satisfaction be it material or sexual with no consequences no conscience, loss of free will (choice) thus a barbarous lifestyle, will need government control. I believe it is ideolgy what makes me believe this, is a grassroot hate against A Religion most religions believe in the Laws of a Civlized Society. 8/13/99 Gerald Peters Bowling Green Ohio Micheal CHandler makes a very foolish statement. The rise of so called "hate groups", I believe, is a direct result of the rise of inequality in favor of minorities. With acts such as affirmative action firmly attached to todays american workplace, the attitude it that the minorities can get away with anything and no one can do a thing to them. There are many "racial sensitivity" classes in which the attendants are taught that non whites are not capable of being racist, which is far from true. Another factor is the sensationalising of any white against minority hate crime in the media to the point that the subject is totally worn out, while the media ignores the thousands of anti white hate crimes that occur on a daily basis, many more hideous than anything we see on the news today. With all of this, can any person of sound mind think it was poverty causing the rise of hate groups, or a real racial problem caused by the minorities and the coddling and extra rights given to them by the American government? 8/10/99 Hello I just viewed the picture of the burning building and I see in the left top corner the face of a man looking down from above. He has a beard and facial side hair and thick lips. I was wondering if anyone other than myself see this face also. Send message back to the world. It's there 8/10/99 I don't think that a race war will happen in 2000. Because back then black and white were'nt getting along. But now we know that black and white are the same! But in other country's I bet they think white is better than black! How unfair! 8/10/99 Humphrey Tay houston, TX I can not judge Timothy Welch that he has truly repented. Jesus Christ knows his heart, its by his heart Jesus Christ will judge. I am joyful Timothy Welch repented. If he had only repented before jail, he would have been in jail. I can only say, Thank you Jesus for Timothy Welch 's Transformation. 7/28/99 Benjamin S. Jaccard Kansas City , Missouri I know this not about setting fire to houses of god.My ucle got killed because he was gay.I didn't get ever say goodbye to him.Listen this more important then a building, this was a life. 7/16/99 Darius Pickett I really can't say how it is to grow up in poverty. My family wasn't poor but on the other hand we wasn't well off either. We did have our times when things got rough. As i think back to those days, when things got rough we never felt sorry for ourselves, or blamed anyone else. I was raised by my grandparents, and when things got rough they would do what ever they could to make sure we had food to eat and a place to live. They never blamed anyone for our cituation, or asked anyone for anything. Something I remember them teachin me is to make sure I never have to depend on anyone for anything, which is why I have had a job since I was in 6th grade which was helping cleaning up the church. I know that if I am not successful I am the only one to blame. Poverty may play a role in fomenting fear, hate, and scapegoating, however the ones who raise you are the main characters in your decisions and actions. My grandparents and my mother are very religious people so if the word hate came out of my mouth towards another person they would hurry up and tell me not to hate anyone, no matter how bad the cituation. 7/7/99 What I dont understand is, how could this nation let a group like the kkk represent the hatred that they do. The ways that the kkk expresses their hate is so obviously deadly. This goverment would not let the Black Panther Party exist, and they werent even a hate group. I think that the kkk should all be indicted for conspiricy to commit murder and mayhiem. Some might say that hate is a freedom of speech. Dont you think that bull goes a little to far? I mean you cant freely say your want to kill the president of Amerikkka. So how can we let this group of idiots walk around freely saying, "kill all niggers and jews." 7/3/99 William R. Folks, Ph.D. Novi, MI. "Hate" is an ill-defined term used to shout down unpopular views. Views which "just don't fit". The majority of inter-racial crimes committed in America are actually Black ON White. These crimes NEVER receive national attention. I am reminded of the case of 14 year old Brian Peterson of Akron Ohio, who, last year was savagely beaten by a gang of Black thugs. Ok that's one, but there are many, many other local cases which are never reported in the National Press. Countless rapes and murders and beatings and robberies of Whites. I mean, hav'nt you ever stoped to think of that? Why is so much attention placed only on White on Black crime. Is it because it is so rare? Why are these other crimes not also labeled as 'hate crimes'? Why isn't Janet Reno threatening to send agents to Akron to "round up the haters". Why aren't Brian Peterson's attackers being prosecuted for violating his civil rights. He was attacked specifically because he was White. And his attackers hated him specifically because he was White. There was a recent case here in Novi Michigan. About two months ago a pretty, 17 year old white girl was repeatedly gang raped in the parking lot of a popular Novi teen hangout by four Arabs, all of them 20-24 years old. It was in all the local newspapers. And yet, the papers didn't say that the reason she was raped was specifically because she was white. Nor did the case get any national news coverage. There are Black gangs in LA and New York and Detroit who have illegal guns and conspire to commit illegal acts, don't pay taxes, and so forth. And yet you don't see ATF agents laying siege, there is no media outcry. Did you know, there was a White Holocaust which occured in our own hemisphere in 1791. The butcher of 40,000 Whites in Haiti. Why are there no holiday's, no marches no Holocaust museums for this event, no "Martin Luther King"-like day to remember these victims? These, and countless other cases of Whites being butchered, raped, murdered every day are ignored by the media. The media presents only one view. Consider the State of Israel for example. One million Palestinians were ethnically cleansed from that country by 1949, and another 300,000 in 1967. That was a pretty hateful thing to do, Was'nt it? Why don't we hear more about "ethnic cleansing", and "racism", and "hate" in Israel. It is our task, as White Americans to begin speaking out. 7/3/99 HERO AGAINST HATE Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. is probably my greatest hero against hate crimes and racism. If there was one person who is not alive today that I could meet it would be him. The strongest and most persistent part of his personallity from what I have learned is his persistence. I watched a video the other day about the four girls that were killed in a bombing of a Church. One of the things that Dr. King did was go to the scene and speak about it. He said that he felt if he didn't go his image and caringness might be broken. Those weren't his words but he said something meaningful. I will help with the battle of reforming America into a less hateful place and I hope others will do the same. 6/30/99 Albert J. Jefferson Atlanta, GA Racial hatred will not be conquered until the belief in "race" itself is done away with. To say that mankind is differentiated into different "races" is to impart differences unto each racial group. Differences automatically imply that levels of superiority and inferiority exist. All desire to be "superior," and no one desires to be "inferior." Yet how is this to be avoided if racial classification of men is seen as a reality rather than as a myth used by one to exploit the other? We are all the same with superficial variations that are by no means constant. Constancy is not a hall mark of my lighter skin brothers nor of my darker skin brothers. "Whites" are more so a victim of "racism" than are any other group, because they seemingly profit from its continuation. They are the ones to be "saved" from its pernicious effects rather than those who feel the blunt of it in their daily lives. Racism, moreso than any other sickness, has the capability to destroy all that has been accomplished by twentieth... 6/10/99 Paul Merriwether Oakland, CA I enjoyed the report very much. I feel it is time to move forward and time to forgive Timothy and fight for his release from prison. Getting this young man out of jail early will do more good for the equality movement than arresting all the KKK people in America. We must show that we are a forgiving nation especially when it comes to those people that truly have repented. 6/10/99 molto grazie Very well done!!!! I'm speechless. It is so infrequent that the media puts forth any effort to print or air stories that restore our faith in mankind. 5/3/99 Kay G. Wolsborn, Professor St. Joseph, MN Please tell me how we can order this film for use in the classroom? It is an extremely effective case study analysis of the concept of community -- a community coming together to work in ways to be proud of as well as in ways to be ashamed of. --The educational distributor for Forgotten Fires is UC Extension, Center for Media and Independent Learning at (510) 642-0460 or email cmil@uclink.berkeley.edu 5/2/99 Bill Rood Rochester, MN I just saw "Forgotten Fires", having stumbled upon it by accident. I was struck most by how the Klan manipulated and exploited the basic human need for belonging. Our adolescents and young people, such as Timothy Welch, are especially vulnerable to such exploitation. Timothy certainly uses the right words. He says he accepts his personal responsibility for his action. He even refuses to blame the Klan for manipulating him, instead accepting that he allowed himself to be manipulated. I believe I heard him express more regret for what he did to his victims than than for his own jail sentence. The program also points out the fallacy in the thinking of many racists, that they can hate a group while being friends with individuals in that group. Racism and bigotry inevitably harm innocent members of the target group, some of whom may be your friends. My only criticism is that this program was not very well publicized. I would like my son, who is very vulnerable to the same sorts of traps Timothy fell into, to watch this program with me. Please run it again and make video-tapes available. This film should be a required element of every high school social studies class in the nation. 5/1/99 I'm a 15 year old white female and i am so against racism, my grandparents are very racist towards blacks and i get so mad when they call black people "n" i want to yell at them and tell them how i feel but i don't think it would be worth it considering they grew up in that atmosphere so they think it's normal. But this world has to stop judging others on the race or color of the skin, and start looking inside because thats where it counts.... 5/1/99 Jeff Leimback Page,Arizona Without a doubt, I think Timothy's feelings are heartfelt. He seems very genuine in his remorse. Especially in his feelings about his Aunt Effie. How many of us can imagine doing what he did, and cause the pain he caused. How many of can imagine how we would feel if we hurt our own grandmother like that. I believe when Timothy is released from prison, he will make a positive difference in society. 4/30/99 Frankin Avinger Dorchester, Mass Well first of all I will answer the questions listed aboved. Yes, I do think there will be a race riot very soon but it will not be for the year 2000. There is just to much hate going on for that not to happen. 2. As for Tim Welch transformation. We I have to look at it as a wait and see approach. If one is put in jail for that many years of course he will appear to repent because there is nothing else to think about. However, this man stated he played games and ate with many of the children and there family who attended the church he burned down. 3. I think poverty plans a major role in hate. Lets be real, the white people who have money do not have to live or be around Black people in poverty. The poor white people hates Blacks because they think we are out to get the little that America left that does not belongs to the rich white man. The poor whites think that they have to compete with the Black man and in turn they just hate the Black man like it is our fault. I always believe that we as so-call Americans must and should help the poor with all kinds of social programs as posible. As for my hero's against Hate it will be every Black Man and Women who faught for all our Rights even it they were killed or beaten up. These people were my heroes. I really enjoyed this program although I caught only the last 40 minutes of the program. I really want to see this show again. I was born and raised in a town a few miles from Manning S.C. in a town call Holly Hill, S.C. I'm only 34 years old, however, it was rough growing up in Holly Hill with the Widespread Hate through out the town. 4/30/99 David Warnick DuPont WA Any time a society punishes an individual for what he or she thinks, it is in deep trouble. If the law provides for adequte criminal sanction for crimes like assault, murder, or arson, then whether or not the crime is motivated by hatred for a particular group is extraneous. The whole concept of "hate crime" is pc run amok. 4/30/99 Tallahassee, FL To the comment from Georgia- in your statement you proved the effects of poverty on thinking by what you said. Your background has tinted your view so that you think like most uneducated white working class individuals. You even are using the jargon of that thought pattern (bleeding heart liberal). Your thoughts on "hand out" programs have been spewed from so many mouths that no thought even goes into understanding the situation. It is just an empty chant, just like the concept that everyone has access to amazing rescources if they just want them. America is a land of many oppurtunities but all doors are not open to everyone. This response will not change your mind because you are not using your mind but a prepackaged set of beliefs that come from your background and geography. Hate is alive and well in America and you are doing your part to keep it in place. 4/30/99 I HATE THE WAY THE WORLD IS TODAY. RACISM MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOD DOES NOT WANT US TO HATE EACH OTHER BECAUSE OF OUR SKIN OR 4 ANY REASON AT ALL AND IF HE DID HE WOULD HAVE SAID SO. I AM ONLY 13 YEARS OLD AND I SEE RACISM EVERY WHERE, AND NOT JUST TO BLACKS BUT TO MEXICANS, CHINESE, AMERICANS OR WHATEVER YOU MIGHT BE,BUT ALL I KNOW IS WE NEED 2 DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT IS A VERY STUPID REASON 2 HATE SOMEBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 4/30/99 Manning SC My family moved to Clarendon County only a few years ago. While I have heard a few stories about the church fires, I never knew the full story until I viewed your documentary. I live in the part of the county where the churches are located and also near the Haley family. I was alarmed to see the garbage dump I go to twice a week to dump my garbage on the tv. I never even knew that a building had been burned there. The Haley family and their opinions made me happy that I recently installed a security system in my house! Thank you for enlightening me on my new community. Rest assured that everyone here does not have the same views that the Haleys' have. 4/30/99 I really think Timothy has repented. He was looking for love and he found hate instead. People say there is a fine line between love and hate. I only wish he would have realized sooner how wrong he was! 4/30/99 Robert Kornegay Swansboro, NC Hate, like poverty, is sourced in the self rather than in circumstances. A belief system based on utilitarianism and materialism (read: Western culture) will always spawn hatred between the "disadvantaged" and the "advantaged". "Hate crime" legislation focused on "right think" is the well-worn path of fascistic social engineering. History has graphically demonstrated where that path leads. Moral behavior is birthed in a culture as individuals encounter the transcedent truth of God's value for each human being. As illustrated in [Frontline's] excellent interview of Desmond Tutu, the only cure for the horror of hatred and the shame of poverty is to walk the path of peace that begins at the foot of the Cross of Christ. 4/30/99 John Day Westport, CT 06880 I was deeply moved by your excellent film, but I missed seeing any positive mention of the rebuilding of this church. Isn't this one of the churches rebuilt by the Quakers? I worked on the Rising Star Baptist Church, Greensboro, AL in 1996 and on the Rising Star A.M.E. Church in Dillon, SC in 1997. I'm one of many dedicated Christians, Jews and Unitarians who gave up their own vacations, travel expenses and sweat to build and to make a positive statement by our actions. "Work is love made visible" is the motto of the Washington Quaker Workcamps. Next time please show some caring, dedicated whites to help balance the film's message, i.e. hate still exists, but there is even more love as shown by our work, talk and money. Shalom, love and HOPE, John Day 4/30/99 P. McGowan Johnson Charleston SC Hatred is not founded by poverty. Being a "have not" does not make me hate the "haves". Being treated with disrespect for my humanity, being treated with lack of regard for my need for knowledge, being disallowed to progress because of some arbitrary and unjustified perceptions of my abilities due to my gender or race make me angry, but do not make me hate. Hatred comes when I hate myself first, and when I find that the only time I can feel better is when I can identify and harm another who I can categorize as "less" than I am then Hatred manifests itself in actions such as this. We must begin with all of our children and love them well, teach them well, and do the best we can for them. I can be as happy in nothing as I can in a palace. If I know as a child that I have the best that can be done it is enough, and I will learn to love not hate. 4/30/99 P. McGowan Johnson Native South Carolinian Charleston SC The smallest minority in South Carolina is the group who would go out an burn down his neighbor's church. These old boys feel empowered when they gang up on any group they can identify with and somehow put down as less than themselves. I grew up with these unthinking, detestable, uneducated morons, and they are an abomination to peaceful, loving citizens of this state. I love my black and my white neighbors, and if there is a war, it will be me and my kind against the racial stupidity, ecological devastation, and corporate (unthinking) greed we suffer down here. Ya'll got that! (Pat McGowan Johnson of Sumter County near Clarendon) 4/30/99 The primary thing I took from the film was the awsome level of forgiveness many people expressed. It's only through forgiving those who have wronged you that you and them can be healed. 4/28/99 Carol S. Taylor Gaithersburg, MD I applaud ITVS for the decision to make such a riveting documentary. Your program serves as a "wake-up" call for Americans of all races to stand up for what is right and to no longer tolerate racial injustice. I thought that the story was presented from all sides and most importantly showed the world that there are some people, albeit few (Rev. Mouzon), that set themselves apart with a true heart of forgiveness. The end of the documentary restored my hope for humanity. 4/23/99 Katy Cogdill Truxton, Mo. I truly believe that poverty plays an enormous role in society. Not just today, but always. I especially feel that poverty attacks the minds of our people and our children. You can't blame (nor lable) poverty on lack of ones self or the lack of others. 4/23/99 Julia I think it is really bad that hate is in america today. There should be no hate in the world. The KKK really stinks even though I am 12 years old I think I would be a better role model then the cowards in the KKK. 4/23/99 porsche hamilton milwaukee, wisconson I think that its mean and cruel to act the way some people did. I think you can always take pride in your culture, in good ways and not bad ways. Whether your caucasion or african american or any color, it shouldn't matter. 4/22/99 Carrollton,Ga. Poverty is a poor excuse for hate and destruction.I was born into poverty my-self and I never felt anyone owed me anything.It was up to me to better myself,by working for what ever it was I wanted to accomplish.Only the rich were college accepted,not a white poor girl, but it didn't leave me bitter.I just had to work harder to achieve my goals.Bleeding Heart Liberals are to blame because of their give-a way programs. Why should anyone work for something,if others are willing to hand it to them on a silver platter.There is an old adage, idle minds are the devils workshop, how true.Every American today has the same opportuities to achieve their goals in life. Great schools and colleges, if they choose to make use of them.We make our choices and then should have to live with them. |