‘Every Time, and Every Place’
The daylight that scatters the evil
On Monday, through downtown Nashville, a tiny but regimented gang of neo-Nazis pushed Tennessee’s capital city back into the national media with a clownish demonstration of their racism, antisemitism, and hate.
The size of the group did not grow larger as it advanced block by block. No one else joined in with the hateful chants. Good on Nashville.
These miscreants wore masks and caps, to hide behind in their cowardly anonymity and fear. They chanted “Seig Heil” in devotion to their idol Adolph Hitler, that avatar of defiance and evil. Their actions and noises would have been comical if they weren’t so hateful. But the official public response they have drawn has been the most important, the most demonstrative of the inner core of goodness in our community.
WPLN reported Governor Bill Lee’s welcome take on the day:
“We’ve seen anti–Semitism rise up all across this country, unfortunately and sadly,” the governor said. “We should stand against it at every time and every place.”
Those last five words from the governor struck me as the most important message of the week, words to the nation, and to ourselves. When something like this sick event happens - wherever and whenever it occurs - it’s important for good people to isolate and condemn it as if with a single response, with a unified message from any and all who speak for the rest of us.
“Every time, and every place.” Good on Bill Lee.
And good on all the other public officials who were moved to condemn this anti-historical display of sickness, rottenness and bile in the hours that followed. Good on Mayor Freddie O’Connell, Vice Mayor Angie Henderson, State Rep. Aftyn Behn, and all others who understand and show the importance of solidarity in the face of any such scurrilous display of cowardly venom.
And good on all the news media, who broadcast these proper right-minded condemnations from official Nashville and the State Capitol of Tennessee.
It’s only this kind of strong daylight, these deeper soundings of our common goodness, that will dilute the poison and scatter these remnants of evil and hate in our own country and the world.
Every time, and every place
My thanks to all who spoke up this week.
Absolutely Keel, “Good on them”! Last night I posted a note on X stating that I don’t often agree with Governor Bill Lee, but on this he had it right! What disturbs me more is not hearing from any of our Federally Elected Officials who live locally who should be shouting from the rooftops condemning this disgraceful gathering. (I may have missed one)?
In the future I would hope that arrests would be made to prevent any future gatherings from gaining acceptance. Not having a Permit is one thing, gathering in some sort of sick uniform with identity covered is another. Having the USA Flag turned upside-down in distress is frightening considering that was just done by a member of the US Supreme Court!
Thanks Keel for your always honest perspective.
Why were they not all arrested as being in violation of 9-17-309. Civil rights intimidation? (c) It is an offense for a person to wear a mask or disguise with the intent to violate subsection (b).
(d) A violation of subsection (b) is a Class D felony. A violation of subsection (c) is a Class A misdemeanor.