Final Musing on a Not So Amusing Event

It's been twenty-four hours since, hopefully, the last of our unwanted guests left town. The day was exhausting both physically and mentally. In some respects, even though I was face-to-face with the reality, it was still difficult to fathom that people have such hatred for other human beings, and that for a brief time they chose our city. Through the course of the day-after, I've had a mixture of emotions and reactions. I'll discuss a few of those thoughts below.

While I've seen photographs and footage of military forces carrying machine guns, riot police in the streets and armored vehicles, seeing them in my home city was disconcerting. I'm thankful we do not live in a place where that is normal. While the overpowering police presence probably helped, and they had no way of knowing what numbers and what situations they might face, I do regret that so much was required and that a small group such as this can command such a large expenditure.

The thing I appreciated most about the police and other law enforcement agencies was the fact that they communicated with each of the groups very effectively. They were clear and they were firm, but by informing each group as to expectations and listening to each group's intentions and concerns, they enabled each group to make good decisions and to avoid major problems.

My respect has grown for the press in situations like the one yesterday. I realize most reporters and photographers have opinions on topics like immigration and hate-groups as well as freedom of speech. To maintain a semblance of impartiality is very difficult. I planned to simply take photographs, jot a few notes and remain detached, despite my strong feelings. I found it impossible. This is my city that I love. As a city, we are flawed, but the thought of an outside group coming into our midst, assuming we will be supportive and damaging the world's view of who we are makes me angry.

Regarding the neo-Nazis, my dominant emotion was sadness. For people to hold such abhorrent views of other human beings and to display such certainty that their view is correct is disturbing. I believe very strongly in free speech, but I worry when the speech dehumanizes or demonizes other people. Once a person is less than human, any level of abuse is possible. I felt the greatest sadness for the young Nazis. Two girls and one young boy appeared to be teenagers. One girl looked as if she had barely reached her teens. To have such young people shaped into hate-filled automatons is tragic. Will they ever be able to break free to become fully functioning adults?

I also can't help but wonder what it is in modern society that produces such people. I know it isn't just the United States. There are intolerant and hate-filled people all over the world. Still, is there something we could do as a culture that would curtail the development or appeal of such groups? If, as some would say, these are people who felt isolated and yearned for a place to belong, do I reach out to people around me and let them feel that connection or do I leave them in their isolation to search for a group such as this one?

I also could not help thinking how uncomfortable I would be if I shared the same opinion as this group on the topics of immigration, abortion or states rights. If I was a person who defended the display of the rebel flag I would be uncomfortable. That banner flew alongside the swastika, which they also insisted is a misunderstood symbol.I will not say that a person who agrees with them in one regard is like them. I will only say I would be uncomfortable and I would have to do some soul-searching.

The response to the neo-Nazis was the subject of much debate and angst among the people of Knoxville. Some groups stayed away. Some groups organized and prepared to confront. Individuals made difficult decisions. While I would agree the group would be embarrassed if no one showed, I don't think that was a realistic option.

While I might not agree with the behavior or approach of every counter-demonstrator, I do feel a clear message was sent yesterday: Knoxville thinks you are a joke and we don't want you in our city. While exchanges yesterday were rife with references to the holocaust, it might be instructive to consider the effectiveness of silence in the face of that growing evil. If they could re-live history, how many who were silent early would, with hindsight, chose to speak in a loud clear voice? That's what Knoxville did yesterday, and I was proud of her.  Todos somos inmigrantes.

When Free Speech Is Too Expensive

When should free speech be stopped? When does it cross some invisible line into public pornography? We'll see some of that pornographic speech when the various neo-Nazi groups descend on Knoxville August 14. There has been a great deal of community discussion regarding the proper way to respond to their message. One group plans to wear clown suits. Others are suggesting that no one show up. I hope no one gets hurt. The inclusion of hate speech under the protection of freedom of speech has been a long and painful discussion in our country.

The day I took the picture above, I didn't realize what was coming. I should have. This was a group that gives a cursory nod to various genocides throughout history so they can pull people into their real issue, which is abortion. They show images of the Nazi holocaust, for example, to engage people who acknowledge that human horror, in order to suggest - in a fairly direct manner - that abortion is an equivalent genocide. If you believe that a fertilized egg is the equivalent of a human being, I can see how you could go there.

That perspective, though different from my own, isn't what bothered me that day. What I found absolutely appalling and what I really question as far as acceptability for a public space is the use of horribly graphic images. Are all images acceptable in a public space? Is that always protected speech? What if a group advocating free sex wanted to show large pictures of their cause to every person, including children, passing by on the square? What if an anti-American group wanted to show pictures of our soldiers being tortured? Is there no reasonable limit? Would this group of anti-abortionists support their right to do so?

To be intellectually honest, I have to ask myself whether the fact that I disagree with this group causes me to hold them to a higher standard. I don't think so. If an anti-abortion group wants to gather on Market Square and give a lecture or hand out materials to adults who want it, that's fine by me. If they want to offer me a pamphlet and tell me it has images of abortion inside, fine. I'll decline and move on and maybe the next person will want to see that kind of thing. But to have large blow-up pictures forcing everyone of every age to look at them is wrong in my opinion.

Taken from one other angle: This same group would likely not want sex education in the schools because they would suggest that it is the family's prerogative to teach their children about that topic. Yet, they remove the decision of every parent walking through Market Square regarding to what degree and when to expose their children to this complex and controversial topic. That's hypocritical. The city should not approve this type of display in a public area in which we are working to bring families.