On Dec. 16, the KKK visited Skokie. Community leaders successfully encouraged most community members to go on with their lives as usual. The wish and belief of the leaders was that they could effect a total boycott of such events, thereby depressing media interest and leaving the hate-mongers to rail at themselves and the snowflakes.
The fact is that militant opponents and supporters of white supremacy will always appear, in force, along with the media, as happened that weekend. The white supremacists got what they wanted–to portray their opponents as the hateful, intolerant ones and themselves as the victims, and thus justify their own hate.
Community leaders, holding a Peace and Harmony rally the following day, portrayed Skokie as exemplary, in every respect, on issues of diversity. The speeches gave no indication of our need for improvements or new initiatives whatsoever, or for considering any further response to hate, beyond ignoring it. Also, we were told, all hate comes from outside our community.
One would imagine that no child in Skokie has ever been taunted by another; that no one has ever felt snubbed on the basis of appearance, religion or ethnicity; that we harbor no vestiges of racist thinking or behavior; and that we could never produce anyone who might even consider behaving intolerantly, let alone joining a hate group. Only Sherialyn Byrdsong, whose husband, Ricky, was killed by white supremacist Benjamin Smith, indicated that we might do well to make any changes to improve our capacity for true peace and harmony. The other speakers basked in celebration and self-satisfaction. Ironically, this was at Niles West High School, where only weeks ago, at a basketball tournament, some supporters of Loyola Academy shouted anti-Semitic slurs at New Trier’s team.
The on-site officers of the various police departments were unsung heroes at the KKK rally. The organization and restraint of officers at the rally surely prevented serious mayhem and injury.
In the weeks prior to the KKK visit, I learned that those touting tolerance can turn on a dime, becoming quite intolerant of those who view an issue even slightly differently than they. I also learned that once we have designated an “other”–for example, the KKK members–we cease to see them as human and redeemable at all. Apparently sometimes intolerance is sanctioned, as long as you pick the right target.
But I recognize that I’m on that same continuum, and must struggle to not be dismissive or derisive to those whose ideas differ from mine. Organized hate may be what we have to contend with outside ourselves. But there are personal intolerances–or “disorganized hate”–we all have to face and to challenge, inside ourselves.
