This is a great start - next policy that removes institutional racism.

Time will tell.

After 50 plus years of lying about it, the truth has finally overwhelmed the BS.

There is no tipping point.
Imagine one of these persons was under forty - three were over 70 including one who was over 80.

Good 'effen' grief! Time to tear down all these racist symbols.

...this might have slid by as a "lone nut case" thing. But there has been so much of this over the years, so many connections with the hate groups and the crazy websites, and that damn flag front and center, the truth just piles up until it spills over the denial barrier.

Had they not paid and found it, and posted pictures and the manifesto, they would still be spewing the usual BS.

Remember at first they said nothing was found on his computer.

that turned the tide.

I think we are lucky this one is being acted upon.

but this time the paper trail was found and they are scattering like roaches in the night - all the racists have been exposed.

I wasnt aware that he had anything to do with the conf. flag

Someone tosses in Newtown which was a totally different subject.

but I think you knew that.

Sometimes a tipping point can be so obvious and yet goes by without a blip. We got lucky this time.

tipping point seems to have been reached.

Because I can't imagine them, or South Carolina, giving three shits what we think.

The dam finally burst - we have a proverb in these parts - every day carry bucket go a well, one day di bucket bottom muss drop off.

It's spreading!

Next up, all the confederate era statues erected thoughout the South.


- southern old gal

flag -part of a historical display on hate crime.

I'm just going to say, it's one small step toward what should be, and should have been a long time ago. There are still leagues to travel, but it's at least heading the right way at the moment.

this is going to make some racists very upset.

mahalo malaise

"night rider" stuff going on again. I doubt they can organize and hide effectively and get away with it like they did before.

Never would have happened without finding the pictures and manifesto but good that it's happening. The GOP governor would have looked like a fool after the leadership of the victims families and their extraordinary humanity.
But it's just a symbol the transformational change has yet to come.

Next, we need to shut down the websites of groups such as Council of Conservative Citizens by suing the living daylights out of them in civil court on behalf of the victims' families.

Then, we need to address gun control in a serious way.

But it can start with a flag. It's a symbol, and removing it is a symbol of changing attitudes. Let's recall how quickly we moved from DOMA and similar laws multiple states to near universal acceptance of gay marriage.

I'm afraid personal racism will never end, but removing the Confederate flag from state government capitols is a significant step in signaling further change in institutional racism, and in the opinions of the majority of even Southern, and Republican, citizens and politicians. It's a step.

This might start white people taking a stand to denounce racism with more action. It's time to isolate the racists.

wherever possible. Learn about their work, read their monitoring of hate groups like the Council of Conservative Citizens, and donate to the SPLC here:

http://www.splcenter.org

Indeed, the first thing I did last Thursday morning when I learned of the crime was to send as large a donation as I could to SPLC. I knew they would be at the forefront of taking this beyond the lone shooter and extending it to the hate groups that fomented his twisted beliefs. They've done it many times before, and if anyone will do it, they will.

I applaud everyone who is getting involved online and offline with the fight against racist symbols and institutional racism. It's a lifelong struggle. You meet the best people along the way.