Lynching Resolution, No Apology (?!)

[The Straight Story]

Lynching Resolution, No Apology — (05/18/2006)

KXXV Texas

McLennan County will not apologize for the 1916 lynching of a convicted murderer.

Tuesday the court room was packed, and a supporter of the resolution wore a noose around his neck, while others sat quietly and listened. All this attention stems from an incident that happened in 1916. A black teenager named Jesse Washington was found guilty for murdering Lucy Fryer, a white woman. Minutes after being sentenced to death a mob attacked Washington. They lynched him, burned his body and dragged it through town.

The Community Race Relations Coalition says an apology resolution is an opportunity for the public to renounce this ugly part of its history. But the Commissioner's Court says aside from some technical reasons, they won't apologize for something that happened long before they were born.

McLennan County Commissioner Ray Meadows said Tuesday, “I cannot do that, come out with true repentance because- y'all are probably tired of hearing this- I didn't have anything to do with it, ya know."

But Nona Baker, who favors the resolution said, “We're not harboring or looking for someone to blame. We’re asking is to do what's right, because it's right."

http://www.kxxv.com/main.cfm?ID=1&NewsID=2879&Type=Full

[The Straight Story]

1. Self kick - we need to DU these folks!

Will look up contact info and post here.

here it is:

County Commissioner Precinct 4
Ray Meadows
215 N. 5th Suite 125
Waco, TX 76701
P.O. Box 648
Waco, Texas 76703-0648
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]

[stepnw1f]

2. Just Goes to Show

that some people don't see significance in a "show of contrition". That's too bad.... me thinks they identify with bigotry, because they feel judgement is literally targeting them all. Why assume such a thing? It's a symbolic gesture towards the victim.

[The Straight Story]

3. I just don't see how it could hurt things - but I do see how it could help

Just cannot grasp the whole thing. A wrong was done - and no one disputes that it seems - and this would be a step in making that wrong right.

[struggle4progress]

4. Related DU link: Resolution Denouncing Waco Lynchings Read

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2287524&mesg_id=2287524

[The Straight Story]

5. Thank You! (nt)