Guthrie's leading black spokesman excused the shooting: "They didn't intend to hurt him. They just wanted to stop him about the flag." The mother of the alleged trigger man trotted out the same tired old bogeyman: "The problem that brought this about was racism." She claims that local whites want retribution.
The local print media, after sitting on the story for several days, finally ran with news of several cross burnings that occurred in Guthrie after the murder. The Nashville Banner's 19 January headline read "Burning crosses provoke FBI probe" and the shooting was glossed over in the first paragraph. To the Banner the real story evidently was cross burnings.
"This is an opportunity for organizations such as the NAACP, SCLC and all other groups opposed to traditional Southern principles and culture to admit to and apologize for their immoral assault on Confederate symbols and heritage. A young husband and father has been murdered for no other reason than displaying the proud banner of his ancestors." |
Evidently the Westermans of the world do not elicit from the media the same sympathies reserved for abortion doctors and black Los Angeles "motorists." This is an opportunity for organizations such as the NAACP, SCLC and all other groups opposed to traditional Southern principles and culture to admit to and apologize for their immoral assault on Confederate symbols and heritage. A young husband and father has been murdered for no other reason than displaying the proud banner of his ancestors. While the Southern League does not condone cross burnings for any rash action to avenge Michael's murder, we do suggest that our members exercise their Second Amendment right to self-protection before displaying symbols of Confederate heritage. Meanwhile, we must wait and see whether the U.S. Justice Department is as zealous in Guthrie, Kentucky, as it was in Ruby Ridge, Idaho, and Waco, Texas.
Michael's widow and now-fatherless children have suffered a tremendous loss. His death has wrought not only emotional trauma, but financial hardship as well. Any Southern League member who wishes to extend condolences or financial assistance to his surviving family may do so to:
Mr. &Mrs. Hannah Westerman
c/o Mr. & Mrs. David
Westerman
5623 Dixie Bee Line Hwy.
Trenton, KY 42286
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