Council to adopt diversity resolution (KKK robe auction)

[shugah]

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Council to adopt diversity resolution

Daily Press & Argus

A lot of unwanted attention has come to Howell in the past week in response to a Ku Klux Klan robe that was on display in the window of a Howell auction house.

In response to the publicity, the Howell City Council is drafting a resolution honoring diversity, which will come before the council at its next meeting on Jan. 24.

-snip-

All the attention brought on by the robe is exactly what Livingston County and Howell did not want, especially after spending the past several years trying to repair the damage to this area's reputation after the death of Robert E. Miles. Miles, a former Grand Dragon of the Klan, lived in Cohoctah Township until his death in 1992. He held cross-burning rallies on his property north of Howell.

http://www.hometownlife.com/Howell/News.asp?pageType=Story&StoryID=79616&Section=Page%201&OnlineSection=Page%201&SectionPubDate=Wednesday,%20January%2012,%202005&RefDate=1/12/2005

edited to indicate what prompted need for a diversity resolution.

[HuffleClaw]

1. nice sentiment but...

its hardly the town's fault. if some auction house wants to auction off a klan robe, it doesn't necessarily mean they ENDORSE the klan.

[Rowdyboy]

2. Not the town's fault but still, this is Michigan. I thought all KKK

sentiment was in the south, not in the "blue states".

[shugah]

4. many small towns in michigan

most assuredly display a certain mindset that is generally associated with the south.

i think it's funny, actually, to pass a diversity resolution in howell, as there actually is no diversity. 96% white population for as long as anyone can remember. an interesting fact, considering that it is a somewhat afforadable community within reasonable commuting distance of both detroit and lansing.

on the upside - another current controversy in town is the high school's diversity club. they are making waves in the community by displaying a "diversity flag" in the school, promoting tolerance of all. apparently the kids are being accused of promoting homosexualilty because the rainbow flag is perceived by many as an exclusively gay symbol. the flag did go up right after the shameful passing of proposal 2 (anti gay marriage), but the groups message is completely inclusive. they have the support of teachers, and as far as i know, the school board has voted to allow the flag to stay - altho the club had to put a message that the flag is representative of tolerance for all - no matter what race, gender, sexual orientation, religion.

as to the KKK robe - the auctioneer maintains that it is an historical item, albeit an evil one, and the auction will take place. it is no longer prominently displayed in the storefront, which i am very glad of. i shudder to think of any of the few minorities in the area driving by and seeing it.

[Rowdyboy]

6. You could not imagine the howls if this occurred in Mississippi!

Congress would investigate...Dan Rather and Brian Williams would book hotel rooms for round-the-clock coverage. Jesse Jackson would lead marches. But since its Michigan, everyone just shrugs and says "so what"?

Personally, I agree that its a historical item and as such is totally proper in an antique store. I strongly question the wisdom of displying it in the stores window though.

[donsu]

7. the KKK robe belongs in a garbage dump

nobody but a racist would want to even touch it much less own it.

I'm not into spitting on things, but I'd spit on a KKK robe.

Who knows the history of the robe? what crimes the robe wearer committed? who was the robe's owner?

[shugah]

8. of course i can imagine Rowdyboy!

i read DU regularly! ;-)

[coffeenap]

11. Biggest klan state at one time: Indiana n/t

[gratuitous]

3. This is an easy problem to resolve

Bid on the robe, apply to the city for a permit, then burn the rag in the public square. Everybody's happy.

[shugah]

5. not a bad idea

a church has already offered to purchase the robe outright and donate it to an african american museum, but the auctioneer turned them down.

[gratuitous]

9. Okay, don't let the seller know what you intend to do with it

Once you've purchased it, he no longer has a say, and it's burn baby, burn.

[kwolf68]

10. In a related story

Trent Lott's home was broken into last night...several "unidentified articles of clothing" were missing.

[NorthernSpy]

12. LOL!

:D