Bad decision
From the grapevine comes word that the women’s club of Floyd has voted overwhelmingly to invite racist revisionist "author" Gary Walker back to next year’s arts and crafts fair.
Floyd attorney Dale Proffit apparently left the ladies quaking in their seats with dire warnings of legal action not only from Walker but also from the hoard of Confederate sympathizers that he said would rise up in righteous indignation and haul them into court (a threat that I think is as flawed as Walker’s so-called "historical research").
The vote has fractured the membership of the club with some choosing to quit over the action and others taking self-imposed leaves of absence. It also tempts professional rabble-rousers like me to consider turning the matter into a personal crusade. I’d like to think the women’s club did not wish to see their annual arts and crafts fair turn into a bully pulpit for racism but that is exactly what they have done with their vote.
I’m not surprised Profitt was able to scare the bejesus out of the ladies although Dale is not one I would call on for advice on Constitutional law. His legal practice is mostly real estate transactions and helping locals draw up wills. Constitutional lawyers and professors say the First Amendment has nothing to do with the whether or not the ladies club can or should allow an illiterate racist author at an event supposedly dedicated to arts and crafts. As a private organization they are free to accept or ban anyone they wish.
The women’s club had a chance to show that Floyd is not a home for Southern-fried racism but, instead, they made a bad decision based on fear, ignorance and questionable advice. It is a decision they will have to live with.
No matter how loudly they claim their decision is not racist, it is — from my view as both a native-born Southerner and a Floyd Countian — at the very least a passive acceptance of racism in our midst.
Rio,
If you want to set moral standards and address a need that hurts the community why not be vocal on the murder that is occurring with each abortion. I bet you won’t come out in opposition to the murder of innocent lives will you? Oops that is a left wing right to do and forbidden to be spoken against by “Moral” people. Which way is it about morality? When it suits you?
Slavery is wrong, but if you study it you will find it went on in the north longer than it did in the south. How much was NY city built with slaves? The news recently spoke of finding graves of slaves there when they were tearing up buildings. Where was every one then wanting to preserve that cemetery?
Divert attention away from the original topic by trying to drag in another issue that has nothing to do with the current debate and then attempt to confuse the issue with the old “well others did it too” defense.
Abortion has nothing to do with the issue at hand and just because slavery existed in the North as well as the South does not excuse either the deplorable use of human beings as chattel nor does it excuse the revisionist ravings of Mr. Walker.
The issue here is whether or not we should welcome a racist into an event that is supposed to represent the artistic abilities and craftsmanship of our area. I’ve read Mr. Walker’s illiterate rants and can say without hesitation that they fail to qualify as an art or a craft.
Perhaps the Woman’s Club can resolve the issue by simply allowing an English teacher to evaluate the work of any writer who wishes to sell their wares and reject anything that doesn’t meet third grade standards of spelling, sentence structure and literacy. Mr. Walker would fail and we would be spared the need to debate this issue every time he tries to pass off his illusions as historical fact.
Ray,
Everyone has a right to their own opinion. Indeed that makes for this crazy beautiful mysterious stew of a human race we have. And enough with the left wing right wing crap. Please note that in any of my writings throughout this debate I have never called anyone anything.
I will state what I think is right or wrong and that is my opinion. Like Rick Parrish said, Walker has many other channels to market his wares and like many of us have said, we don’t feel the High School/Crafts Fair is the best place.
I assure you, you will not find a booth up there representing pro-life/pro-abortion. Or any other touchy or controversial topic. You will find alot of teddy bears, pottery, photos, crocheted toilet paper covers, baked goods and quilts. Get the picture? This is NOT THE PROPER VENUE FOR A BOOK THAT IS CONTROVERSIAL AT BEST AND HURTFUL AT WORST.
If there is so much outrage in Floyd over this so called “racist” book, why did Mr. Walker have so much suport this year? His sales went up this year from what I understand. I would guess that Mr. Walker is glad for all the free advertisment he is receiving.
You are no doubt basing the claims of increased sales and support on Mr. Walker’s claims. He is a proven liar. He stated publicly on this web site that he would not attend the arts and crafts fair is just one person could find just one error in his book. Several were found and exposed here yet he failed to keep his word.
He claims to be a “best selling author” yet none of his books have ever been listed on any best seller lists.
The outrage was present here on this web site by the many county residents who expressed their disgust over his presence at the fair. We in Floyd County don’t put much stock in liars.
I have read only Walker’s “Hunter’s Fiery Raid Through Virginia Valleys”, and I found it informative and unracist. This alone shows that his entire works cannot be discounted if they fill a research gap.
There are too few histories written that do not disproportionately condemn the South over slavery. This creates a skewed, divisive view of the world. I say let Walker speak under 1st Amendment, and then let us individually decide the merit of his individual works.
I also don’t see the relevance of anyone’s relationship with the Sons of Confederate Veterans and this issue. The SCV is a heritage group whose goal is the commemoration of American sacrifice. I have never found racism in their doctrines, despite “scandals” created by the biased Southern Poverty Law Center.
Let him excercise his 1st amendment right to sell poorly written racist “literature” somewhere other than the grounds of Floyd High School (or any taxpayer supported public property). It could also be argued that the term “research” is loosely applied in this case. I have read “The Truth About Slavery” from cover to cover. The writing alone is reason enough to remove it from public school property; the racist propaganda it contains is even worse. According to the policy manual posted on the Floyd Public Schools web site, this is in direct violation of district policy.
Comments to the effect of constraining Walker’s channels is effectively censorship and violates Amendment #1 of the US Constitution. Don’t agree with his view? Don’t go, and don’t buy his books. Or do go and debate what your issues are with his work. Fortunately, this is America, not N. Korea.
On a parallel, while a student at UNC, I remember a group inviting Louis Farrakhan to speak. I searched for universities where he has spoken and Syracuse, Univ. of WI, Dillard Univ., and Clark Atlanta come up. His aides or leaders have spoken at others such as City Univ. of NY. He has also spoken in civic centers in Philadelphia, and more.
Recently, Columbia Univ. hosted Iran’s Ahamadinejad. Duke Univ. invited terrorist Laura Whitehorn in 2003. The list goes on and on. Intelligence will reveal the truth and thus the merits of the speaker.
We just want to be able to attend an Arts and Crafts Festival without being offended by racist garbage. If a community arts and crafts festival in a public school building was used as a venue for an all out first amendment free-for-all, the citizens of Floyd County would shut it down in the first thirty minutes. Furthermore, in every community in which I’ve lived , primary and secondary public school buildings have never been considered venues for the free excercise of the first amendment. At that rate, you would have porno vending machines in the hallways for fear of being sued by the publishers. The last time I checked it was legal to restrict activities on school property and it is supposed to be restricted in regard to racist material on Floyd County School property.
In answer to your contention that this would violate the first amendment, I would remind you that the sponsor of the arts and crafts festival is a private club. A quote from the web site usconstitution.net under the category “things that are not in the constitution” should clarify this point:
The Constitution does protect the freedom of speech of every citizen, and even of non-citizens — but only from restriction by the Congress (and, by virtue of the 14th Amendment, by state legislatures, too). There are plenty of other places where you could speak but where speech can and is suppressed. For example, freedom of speech can be and often is restricted in a work place, for example: employers can restrict your right to speak in the work place about politics, about religion, about legal issues, even about Desperate Housewives. The same restrictions that apply to the government do not apply to private persons, employers, or establishments. For another example, the government could not prohibit the sale of any newspaper lest it breech the freedom of the press. No newsstand, however, must carry every paper against its owners’ wishes.
As far as debate goes, the last people that tried to debate Mr. Walker were surrounded by his very loud “entourage” (sporting confederate flag buttons; so much for the “heritage not hate” argument) when they attempted to ask the “author” some very simple but admittedly pointed questions about his book. The result of the disturbance caused by his “goons”? The people wishing to ask questions of Mr. Walker were escorted from the public event at Floyd High School by the Sheriff’s department. In the same vein, Walker refuses to honor his “pledge” that he would stay away if anyone found errors in his book and he claims he “doesn’t have time” to read some of the legitimate resources that were suggested to him.
So if I understand your post correctly, you believe that we should apply the same standards of allowable behavior and programming to Floyd High School property as those used at universities? You may want to take that up with the school board and the parents of the students. Meanwhile, those of us who wish to eliminate racism and other forms of bigotry in our communities will do what we can to see that the school board enforces its own policies. If you have a problem with the school board’s policy against racist material on school property you have every right bring your concern before the board– we will definitely bring ours. Just be aware that you may run up against some of the more recent amendments to the constitution and the judicial interpretations thereof.
I’m still confused about some of this information. I’m hearing that Walker shouldn’t speak at publicly funded events. Next, I’m told that the venue in question is private? It should be easy to know which it is.
Next, I’m told that Walker’s speech here is not protected under the Constitution, but then, I’m told that an attorney would sue if he were banned. Clearly, if Walker had no case, then there would be no merit to the alleged attorney’s threat. What am I missing?
As far as preventing university-level issues to surface in high school seems to offend the estimation of students intelligence and may be perpetuating an unrealistic, insular view of the world at the students expense. Clearly, there are boundaries to behavior to serve the interests of education. But the whole evolution vs creationism issue comes to mind when this type of control is overly applied.
I understand your confusion; there are lot of posts and it’s difficult to arrange the material in an easy to understand structure due to the “blog” format. Also, since it is a blog, these are peoples opinions and some may be more “informed” than others. I have spoken to several of the folks involved as well as legal experts and civil rights activists in an attempt to make up for my lack of first-hand knowledge. Each of these are key pieces to the puzzle. I will try to explain.
1. Walker is selling one particular book that many people have agreed is racist and offensive to citizens of Floyd County. When concern was expressed, he most recently brought ONLY that book to the arts and crafts festival. Nice guy.
2. The event is held on public school property in a public school building. Racist literature is prohibited by school district policy on public school property.
3. The facility is rented or loaned to a private club, the Floyd County Woman’s Club, the sponsor of the event which due to this status is free to turn away any vendor it chooses without explanation.
4. The Woman’s Club, after a good bit of deliberation, has voted to allow Mr. Walker to return for fear of being sued. At least one legal expert has stated that this would fail on a constitutional level for reasons previously stated. The Woman’s Club would still have to bear the cost of defending itself. Anyone can sue you for anything and you will still be out the cost of your defense unless you counter-sue, which may or may not be successful.
5. You are entitled to your opinion about the degree to which high school students can be exposed to adult topics and literature. I must say though that the idea of subjecting kids to racial prejudice and discrimination in order to somehow “condition” them to the real world strikes me as a bad idea. We’re trying to eliminate racism, not help people become accustomed to it! The idea of having racist books claiming to be “truth” sold in a setting that seemingly legitimizes the author’s views is even more offensive. In the end, it is the consensus of the community that determines what is appropriate in the schools (within the bounds of the law). In this case, the school district already has a policy against racist material on school property. The community has spoken. We only need to get them to enforce it.
“many people have agreed is racist and offensive to citizens of Floyd County.”
How many as a percentage?
Item #3 supersedes item #2. The decision is the club’s.
Fear of being sued makes no sense unless there was a contractual agreement between Walker and the club. The court would easily award court fees to the club if the facts are as you state.
“”condition” them to the real world strikes me as a bad idea.”
Oh yes, let’s never let them taste the real world because that would only make them that more able to deal with it. I understand the instinct to shelter, but who is best served in the end?
Let me summarize what I understand you to be saying:
The rightness or wrongness of racism should be based on the majority opinion.
The school board (officials charged with representing the community’s interests) do not have the right to determine whether or not racist ideas are promoted on school property.
Either a) frivolous lawsuits do not occur or b) if they do, the court will make sure the victims are compensated for their loss.
It’s okay or even desirable for non-white youth to be called the “n-word” on the school bus, to have to avoid a certain hallway at the high school affectionately known as “redneck alley” or to know that there is a certain section of the school parking lot where they are not welcome, all because it will help prepare them for the “real” world.
Sorry, I can’t buy any of that. In my world, the wrongness of racism is absolute. There is no circumstance under which it is beneficial, and the fact that it does exist in the world that I live in is a challenge to be met without compromise. If you truly believe otherwise (I have considered that you may enjoy debate for the sport of it), we really don’t have much to talk about.
Peace
That makes two of us Carol. The ladies club in the past has done many good things but they have negated those deeds with their support of racism. A sad, sad day for Floyd County.
Was this decision in support of something, or a fearful capitulation?
If an officer of the Club were to stand up and say, “I think Gary C. Walker is a talented and insightful Civil War historian and author”, I would respect their poor taste. On the other hand if it were, “we were afraid we would be sued or bullied by the local bubbas”, I would judge the Club as spineless, and unworthy of respect.
What is it ladies?
I am saddened at the news of the lapse in judgment by the Floyd Woman’s Club. They had the chance to show some leadership in the community and instead they chose to show their cowardice in the face of an empty threat. I have been told that Mr. Profitt’s law partner has something to do with the Sons of Confederate Veterans. If that is true I am not at all surprised that he would set out to frighten the club. I, for one, will never ever support another program or activity of the Woman’s Club and I will join others in actively opposing their foolishness.
Often during conflict or disagreement between two or more parties, a compromise of some kind is the fairest solution. I feel that it is time for the Women’s Club and Mr. Walker to be willing to compromise. The simple solution is that the Women’s Club tell Mr. Walker that IF he would like to return to the craft show next year he may not bring his book, The Truth About Slavery. If he will agree to that, then he may attend the event.
I have written in the Floyd Press and this blog, that if Mr. Walker could drum up an ounce of compassion and community spirit, he would graciously NOT bring that same book to the event in the future, as it is hurtful to many members of OUR community (NOT HIS COMMUNITY)!
Come on people. It’s time for everyone to do the right thing. The right thing being to put things in their proper place no matter how controversial that might be. An arts and craft show, especially one that is held on the grounds of a Virginia public school, is not the right place to sell a book called The Truth About Slavery…..especially when MOST people who have read the book and bothered to comment about it, feel it is NOT the truth.
I implore the Women’s Club to step up to the plate and ask him not to bring this book. It’s a compromise….and a good one. Some think fear is a factor in the Women’s Club’s decision making. Fear has it’s place. But there are times to put fear aside and fill your being with joy because you know you did the right thing. Believe me, God will protect those that act from the heart and with love..please do the right thing.
Doug, you will not let this die will you? What if someone was selling a book you thought was good but others thought otherwise and tried to do the same thing you and others are trying to do. Censorship in any form is wrong, if a person doesn’t like what he sells just don’t go to their tent. Plain and simple. But again I see name calling on this side and when it is switched around there is such outcries. You and the others claim to what is right, seems to be a one way street. I think that is a little closed minded as once censure starts where will it end? Think wisely before one acts is a good approach. It may be a book or cause you support that next time is censored. If that happens, help us all for the indignation that would proceed from you and your group would be ugly and unforgiving.
This is not a free speech issue or a matter of opinion. All people of good moral conscience know that racism is just plain wrong and defending it is no better. Yes, a person in this country can sell (almost) any kind of garbage he can print (even lies) and we don’t have to buy it. We also don’t have to support organizations that facilitate these activities nor do we have to allow it to take place on property belonging to the taxpayers.
Doug, by the way, is also entitled to his opinion and to work actively to right this kind of injustice. His credentials qualify him far beyond Mr. Walker to understand the harm this kind of ignorant, thinly veiled racist babble can cause when it is passed off as “history” or “research”. One could research the literature of the Third Reich and write a book about “differences” among the “races”; that wouldn’t make it the truth, no matter how many footnotes and citations one included. By the way, Mr. Thompson doesn’t really have a “group”. I for one disagree with him on a regular basis. But when he’s right– he’s right.
It is a fact that racism is a morally corrupt concept based on fear, lies and misinformation. It is a fact that science has proven through research of mitochondrial DNA (and RNA) that we are in fact one family separated by relatively minor genetic adaptations to climate, geography and other environmental factors. Therefore, racism has no moral or scientific basis.
In his book, Mr. Walker claims that the truth has been corrupted in more recent years by the “politically correct” and therefore current beliefs about slavery are not as accurate as his reading of civil war era documents and that anti-slavery writing of that time was crafted to portray slavery and slave owners as “bad”. This is like saying that a science textbook of today is less accurate that one of a hundred years ago!
As for your claim that a campaign against Mr. Walker is “censorship”, that’s just ridiculous. No one is stopping Mr. Walker from writing and no one is preventing him from selling his book through other channels. I don’t think anyone is burning his book (the copies that I’m aware of are being maintained as a “bad example”). Many in the Floyd community simply don’t feel that information so inflammatory, badly researched, badly written and promoted as “the truth” should be sold on public school property at an event sponsored by a private community organization that (it at least claims) opposes racist sentiments.
Oh, and one more thing: If Doug ever endorses anything as ignorant and offensive as Mr. Walker’s book (highly unlikely), his friends and supporters will be the first to deliver a metaphorical swift kick in the you-know-what.
I, too, am against censorship. We all know freedom of expression is essential. I also feel it is up to a community to set a moral and ethical standard that it lives by. If something happening in a community hurts members of the community, then it needs to be addressed. So asking Mr. Walker to leave a book at home is more about honor and respect than censorship.
If one person who was descended from slaves advocated Mr. Walkers book, I probably would feel differently. But so far this debate is occurring mostly by white people who simply can not imagine how painful some of Mr. Walkers words may be.
I think I can safely say that most people today feel that slavery was/is a heinous breach of human rights. It was a horrible crime to rip people from their homes, bring them across an ocean and put them to work with no freedom in any way that you could think of. The trauma and suffering these folks went through is unimaginable.
So…my belief is that this is a time for our community to say “the buck stops here”. You can call it censorship if you like. I call it a community deciding what they care about and how they want to live. It’s one community asking an individual to respect what we are striving to teach our children and each other…
If Mr. Gary Walker cannot be gracious and understanding of this….then from my point of view he isn’t a welcome VISITOR under any circumstances.
Surprise, surprise…
Presumably, Dale (I’m not really a lawyer but I play one in Floyd) Profitt would have advised Rosa Parks to save her indignation and civil rights for a more appropriate time.
I can only hope that this business has, in fact, caused the Woman’s Club to implode. They truly ought to be ashamed of themselves for fund-raising at any cost.
Bunch of wimps. And to paraphrase David Mamet with regard to Mr. Profitt – “You don’t deserve to work with men.”
Perhaps you might want to speak to, ask, or possibly find out about some of the details from Mr. Profitt before you throw him under the bus. However, that would slow down the publication of your assumptions, I suppose.
Sad, isn’t it, that decisions are made through fear of being sued. If the rest of us lived that way we would never venture out of the house. I suspect they seized on the threat of a lawsuit as a good excuse to gloss over their support of a racist.
It seems highly unlikely Mr Walker will come without his book, since that seems to be his reason for being there. And even if he did, he’d still be expressing his racist views to all those who don’t want to hear it.
Ladies find your backbone and throw the bum out, he doesn’t belong there! You’re enabling him to promote racism, at your event, and you will ruin your event in the process.