Town's friendly face hid messengers of hate

[KG]

Diverse Deltona seemed perfect for a black family's dream home. But after a series of hate crimes, they're moving away.
By TAMARA LUSH, Times Staff Writer
Published April 18, 2004

DELTONA - La-Tara and William Walker had seven months of peace in their dream home before the trouble started.

Two years ago someone hung a black baby doll from a noose in their front yard. A few months later, they discovered their puppy's neck garnished with a coil of nails. Then in August 2002, vandals caused $100,000 worth of damage to the interior of their home, including racial epithets spray-painted on the walls of every room and swastikas on the carpet.

But the Walkers, who are black, wanted to stay in Deltona. They liked the city, their children had friends, they loved their house and they were overwhelmed by community support. They were determined to remain in their airy home with its view of a verdant palmetto thicket out back.

But two weeks ago, their determination melted.

On March 29, they woke to a flash of light in their driveway. Their Toyota Camry was ablaze, the letters "SS" painted on the hood and "Never Forget" on the driveway.

Two days later, the Walkers stuck a "For Sale" sign in their front yard.
MORE>>>http://www.stpetersburgtimes.com/2004/04/18/State/Town_s_friendly_face_.shtml

racism - alive and well in america

[NMDemDist2]

1. stupid stupid stupid

how can there still actions like that ?? how horrible

[liberalhistorian]

2. No state is immune,

although Florida seems to attract a special breed of bigot, and Jebbie being guv sure as hell doesn't help any at all.

And WTF is "never forget" supposed to mean? Never forget what? What minorities and blacks have suffered at the hands of neanderthal cretins like those?

It's sad that they allowed these inhuman monsters to drive them out, though, because that means they've won. Can't really blame that couple, though.

[ikojo]

3. My dad moved to Florida when I was 12...

I went to visit him ONCE when I was 17, after I graduated from high school. That was the ONLY time I have ever been to Florida...I was not impressed with it at all. I don't know why people have this love affair with Florida.

I feel for this family.

[keithyboy]

4. Did you really think it was dead?

It is the core of our very existence.