SC

Mia McLeod: An Open Letter To My Colleagues

“BLOOD ON OUR HANDS, STAINS ON OUR SOULS …” || By MIA McLEOD || Last Wednesday began much like any other day.  My son headed to football practice.  I rushed to get to the State House. Came home that evening – exhausted and ready to unplug from the politics of…

“BLOOD ON OUR HANDS, STAINS ON OUR SOULS …”

|| By MIA McLEOD || Last Wednesday began much like any other day.  My son headed to football practice.  I rushed to get to the State House. Came home that evening – exhausted and ready to unplug from the politics of the day.

That Wednesday afternoon, Clem (S.C. Senator Clementa Pinckney) and I greeted each other in the State House garage with my usual, “Hey Senator!” followed by his big smile and deep voice that I’ll definitely miss, “Well … hello there, Representative!”

Who could’ve imagined that several hours later, he and eight members of his Emanuel AME Church Family, would be gunned down while they studied God’s Word.  Shock, sadness, anger and numbness don’t even begin to describe the range of emotions that have consumed me since that night.

Why here?  Why now?  Why them?

Our hearts are beyond broken as our thoughts and prayers go out to Mother Emanuel and the Pinckney, Hurd, Coleman-Singleton, Middleton-Doctor, Simmons, Sanders, Lance, Jackson and Thompson Families.

On Thursday morning, I rode to Charleston for the prayer vigil with a few of our colleagues.  Nothing unusual.  We ride together all the time.  But that day, the shock, horror and sadness of the tragic night before were still so fresh … so raw … as reports began to come in about the shooter and his capture.  For the first time, I was acutely aware that I happened to be the only black person in the car, and how different our world-views are because of it.  The irony of that reality in the face of such race-based hate shook me to my core.

They’ll never know what it’s like to be hated simply because of the color of their skin. They’ll never understand the pain, anguish and fear of being hunted, stalked and profiled by terrorists on their own soil.  They’ll never see that glazed-over “thrill of the kill” look in those hollow eyes.  They’ll never face a judge who, despite being publicly reprimanded for using the N-word in court, is still on the bench to dismiss and overlook them in the midst of their grief, as he pleads for empathy and compassion for the killer’s family.  They’ll never get why I hurried home after the prayer vigil just to hug my son and tell him I love him – ever mindful that other Dylann Roofs are still out there.

I’d often wondered why my Dad always spoke about that pain as if it never left him.  He was a successful business owner … the first black person since Reconstruction to be elected to Bennettsville City Council … life member of the NAACP and like Clem, a proud Alpha Phi Alpha man.  And yet, he never let us “forget” the struggle.  But by the time my siblings and I came along, we believed the struggle as he knew it, was over and that we should focus on what was happening under, not just atop the State House dome.

I wasn’t “under the dome” then, but after graduating law school, I headed to work and began to immerse myself in the culture of our capital city … only to find that the overt racism of the past had become the covert racism of the present.

Fast-forward to 2008 … and it was obvious that a black man in the white house did far more to reignite and fuel the hatred that our good ole southern charm often masks, than it ever did to eradicate it.

From Travon Martin to Walter Scott, Mr. Roof represents the millennial face of race-based hate…and this terrorist is home-grown. So how can our state even begin to change–let alone heal–that which it consistently refuses to acknowledge?

It’s encouraging that Governor Nikki Haley now publicly supports the confederate flag’s removal. That support—while long overdue—is simply one of many essential steps towards unity, peace, reconciliation and healing.

If we ever want to end this culture of hatred, injustice, intolerance, exclusivity and entitlement, our work begins “Now.” I’ve said many times…let that be the new “N-word.”

As elected leaders, we must “check” our own baggage and purge those racial biases, policies, practices, rants and rhetoric that have become the new norm.

Whether we’re removing the confederate flag or guns out of the wrong hands, real leadership is bold, courageous and proactive. Not easy for a state that’s notoriously reactive. But, each bullet that shattered their bodies leaves blood on our hands and an indelible stain on the soul of this state that won’t come clean until we do.

In the face of unthinkable tragedy, our brothers and sisters in Charleston have shown the world the true power of God’s love, forgiveness, grace, mercy and peace.

One nation … under God … indivisible. And prayerfully, one day soon … with liberty and justice for all.

Mia McLeod represents District No. 79 in the South Carolina House of Representatives.

***

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134 comments

Rocky June 24, 2015 at 10:30 am

Do ya’ll get it now? Do you finally understand? Good on you Rep. McLeod. You finally put in terms that, I hope, everyone will understand.

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guest June 24, 2015 at 10:50 am

Fast-forward to 2008 … and it was obvious that a black man in the white house did far more to reignite and fuel the hatred that our good ole southern charm often masks, than it ever did to eradicate it.
Read more at https://www.fitsnews.com/2015/06/24/mia-mcleod-an-open-letter-to-my-colleagues/#d3wa44OdBoCb0e5g.99

I get it.She is an angry racist…like most Democrats.

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Flippy Pogo June 24, 2015 at 11:08 am

Yeah, if only there wasn’t a black president, Dylann would not have shot up a black church! Wow, my observations are so intelligent! LMAO!!!

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just asking June 24, 2015 at 11:14 am

Your avatar kinda looks like the one of Will on the ‘Wire’ with the cigar? Is that Will? You mocking him? :)

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Flippy Pogo June 24, 2015 at 11:15 am

Why, I’m not mocking anyone! What gave you that idea? LMAO!!! LMAO!!!

guest June 24, 2015 at 6:43 pm

You took your pic off Will! LMAO!!!!!

guest June 24, 2015 at 11:11 am

“Few anticipated that his presence in the White House would become a flashpoint for racial anxiety as well. “If you are a white man in America, this country is changing dramatically. You have always been in charge,” said a senior administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity be candid. “So there is something to white men feeling like something has been taken away from them.”

Washington Post. According to Obama ALL white men are racists.
Why would white men vote for a Democrat then?Obama lost the white vote by 20%. He got 39%. With equal turnout in 2016, if Hillary drops to 37% of white vote, she can’t win.She knows it and why she sounded like Malcom X in Ferguson yesterday.

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Flippy Pogo June 24, 2015 at 11:14 am

Some of us aren’t very bright so we still don’t get it. LMAO!!!

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Raise Your Son Right June 24, 2015 at 11:39 am

We understand that Mia is a reverse racist who believes that blaming any and every thing or person other than a sick murderer or their own behavior is the answer to all the ills that plague the black community.

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CharlieChan June 24, 2015 at 12:16 pm

How many things have you blamed Obama for over the past 7 years?

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Raise Your Son Right June 24, 2015 at 12:55 pm

Only the things he’s really screwed up, which is just about everything.

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Squishy123 June 24, 2015 at 10:47 am

I wonder if Mia would have written this if it had been a white Senator who was shot. Since it’s apparent in her letter that it’s only racist if it’s white on black crime.

“They’ll never see that glazed-over “thrill of the kill” look in those hollow eyes.”

I didn’t see a letter written by her when the three black thugs shot the white female bakery worker nor did I see her write a letter when it was the gang of black thugs who chased down and nearly beat the lone white boy to death near 5-Points. Neither were hate crimes, they were just whitey being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

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Rocky June 24, 2015 at 11:16 am

God – let it go man.

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Squishy123 June 24, 2015 at 11:17 am

You first… it’s okay to bitch if it’s white on black, but not worthy of repeating if it’s black on white.

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Flippy Pogo June 24, 2015 at 11:18 am

The same is reverse for us, we complain about black on white non stop but don’t want to acknowledge white on black crime! LMAO!!! Go us!

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Squishy123 June 24, 2015 at 11:20 am

GrandTango???

Rocky June 24, 2015 at 11:20 am

I’ll tell you what. Any color on any color is wrong. And if you can show me where a black man, who’s posted a 2,500 word Black Panther anthem, goes into a white Baptist Church and guns down the Pastor and some of his flock, I’ll stand with you all week long, and twice on Sunday.

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Squishy123 June 24, 2015 at 11:21 am

As soon as you show me three white guys who go into a bakery and murder a black woman.

Rocky June 24, 2015 at 11:28 am

Squishy – let’s just admit one thing – a crime is a crime. It’s that simple. Dylann’s was offensive because he chose his victims based on race, not a cash register. But a crime is a crime.

Race occupies everyone's mind June 24, 2015 at 11:30 am

“Squishy – let’s just admit one thing – a crime is a crime.”

I tried to suggest that last week and was monkey hammered.

“Dylann’s was offensive because he chose his victims based on race”

It’s crime itself that is “offensive”, it’s not any worse or better. When you choose to highlight the race factor instead of focusing on the crime you diminish the crime itself.

CharlieChan June 24, 2015 at 12:43 pm

Do you feel the same way about radical muslim terrorists? Focusing on the ideology is a distraction? What’s the difference in a muslim suicide bomber and Dylann Roof? Both are killing out of hate based on learned ideological beliefs.

Squishy123 June 24, 2015 at 12:46 pm

Versus black thugs who are out to hurt or kill just for the fuck of it… because whitey owes them.

Squishy123 June 24, 2015 at 12:45 pm

“monkey hammered”, is that racist?

guest June 24, 2015 at 11:31 am

Blacks burned looted and burned white businesses in Ferguson and Baltimore and it was ignored.

Crime is not a crime when it is black on white. Two police officers killed by blacks this weekend and not a word.

Rocky June 24, 2015 at 11:54 am

Agreed, a tragedy. Did you notice officers who arrested Dylann, they were black and white, arresting someone they knew had just killed 9 people – they didn’t throw him to the ground, or pistol whip him, or shoot him in the back.

Squishy123 June 24, 2015 at 12:44 pm

Because he gave himself up. Had he put up a struggle he’d have gone for stitches before booking.

CorruptionInColumbia June 24, 2015 at 7:42 pm

Hopefully, he would have made a side trip to the morgue, given what he was wanted for.

Squishy123 June 24, 2015 at 9:40 pm

Why give him the easy way out? This way he’s either going to spend life in the nervous hospital or life in solitary confinement until he has a date with the needle 20 years from now.

CorruptionInColumbia June 24, 2015 at 10:14 pm

I can see your point but I view “people” like Roof the same way I do the occasional cockroach that might slip in as you open the door to bring in groceries. Rather than try to catch it and keep it in a pill bottle to teach it a lesson, you step on it. That way, the chances of it getting away and breeding more are minimized, though from the looks of him, Roof probably didn’t get many opportunities to breed.

Squishy123 June 24, 2015 at 12:44 pm

Ol’ PInckney is getting a send off that US Senators don’t normally get unless they’re a Kennedy.

guest June 24, 2015 at 11:18 am

LMAO!!!First Rocky wants to take the American Flag down now he wants to eliminate free speech!

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Raise Your Son Right June 24, 2015 at 11:35 am

Why, because he is right?

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Rocky June 24, 2015 at 11:51 am

Because the premise is it’s one color versus the other.

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Squishy123 June 24, 2015 at 12:43 pm

Facts are facts. Even if you don’t like it.

CharlieChan June 24, 2015 at 12:39 pm

You’re an ignorant racist, we get it… no need to keep proving it.

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Squishy123 June 24, 2015 at 12:45 pm

And you were a shitty actor.

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Raise Your Son Right June 24, 2015 at 11:08 am

Mia. Teach your son to be respectful and considerate of all. Teach him not to engage in thuglike behavior, associate with thugs, or to embrace the thug look such as wearing his pants around his knees while walking around. Teach him that theft is wrong and unacceptable. If you do these things, he should be just fine in life. Yes, there will always be a very few who hate someone because of their skin color, but this is a lot fewer than many would have us believe. You picked a terrible example in using Trayvon as a victim. Please do not set your son up for failure by leading him to believe that Trayvon was anything other than a thug who adopted the thug lifestyle, culture, and mode of dress. Read up on Trayvon’s run-ins with everyone from school employees, to his being found in possession of items stolen in a burglary, shortly before his death. Engaging in TNB is not a good path for someone who truly wants to integrate in to and be a part of society. I’ve got a hot flash for you. Most of the time when you might be treated differently, it’s not your skin color that puts them off but the behavior that too frequentl accompanies it. Teach your son to show the world that he is not like the segment who robs, steals, engages in violent behavior with little or no provocation, blasts the neighborhood with loud music every time he returns, etc, etc.

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Rocky June 24, 2015 at 11:15 am

Thug = racist white view of all young black men. Whore = racist white view of all you black girls. Muslim = racist white code for black President. Asshole = racist white.

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Flippy Pogo June 24, 2015 at 11:17 am

We only use those words because you socialists get mad when we use racial slurs! LMAO!!!

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Raise Your Son Right June 24, 2015 at 11:31 am

They choose to adopt these cultures and styles. I have yet to see a video or even a still of some white person holding a gun on a black ute, forcing them to wear their pants around their knees, stand in a group blocking store aisles while looking at anyone trying to get through the aisle as if to say, “what’s your motherfuckin’ problem cracka?” I have yet to see a video of some white person holding a gun on black utes and forcing them park across two parking spaces in a crowded parking lot or shoplift, or play the knockout game. These are deliberate choices in behavior and association and civilized people of all races grow sick of it.

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Rocky June 24, 2015 at 11:43 am

In 1990 when I was a graduate student at USC, about 3 or 4 blocks from the State House, where your precious little flag stands today, a group of white kids beat a black student so bad he was hospitalized. You know why? Because he was walking on the pedestrian bridge over Picken’s Street with his white girlfriend holding her hand. As for whites holding guns – try the video of the North Charleston Police officer gunning down an unarmed black “ute” or the Texas cop pulling guns on unarmed “utes” while grinding a 14-year-old girls face into the dirt. And honestly, I’m sure we can find hundreds of other examples, if ou need them that badly.

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Raise Your Son Right June 24, 2015 at 12:35 pm

So, the cop in N Charleston had his gun on the guy he later shot, forcing him to engage in TNB by resisting arrest and running? I didn’t know that. Yes, the cop was wrong in shooting him but this is the first I knew that he was forcing the “victim” to engage in TNB right before the shooting. Same for the Texas incident. I saw the cop draw his gun when he felt threatened by (what appeared to be) two caucazoid punks who were rapidly approaching him from behind during a chaotic situation. He quickly holstered his weapon before addressing the young black girl. I was unaware that he had previously been holding her and others at gun point and forcing them to engage in TNB. Thanks for clearing that up, or does your post have absolutely nothing to do with what I said?

Jim June 24, 2015 at 12:22 pm

So are you saying White people don’t mug people, shop lift, riot in the streets, yell at women walking down the street, say racist things about minorities, threaten people who are different from them, etc.

Are you like guest, Blind and deaf?

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Raise Your Son Right June 24, 2015 at 2:25 pm

When was the last time we saw majority whites rioting, burning their own neighborhoods, looting, and such? FBI statistics show blacks committing crimes far out of proportion to their numbers. This is one more reason many cast a suspicious eye on a black, especially a younger black male who enters a store or approaches you in a parking lot, than they might someone else. Laws of odds and averages and the actions of their peers create this problem for blacks. Why is it that what may start as a nice, upscale, predominantly black, neighborhood will almost invariably have degenerated into s haven for drugs, violence,and ruin within a couple of years or less?

When the young black male is wearing a hoodie,’concealing his facial profile and other features, especially in 80+° weather, a thinking person will wonder.

Yeah, whites commit crimes and do stupid stuff also, but not statistically so disproportionate to their numbers, meaning the chance that this one will be the one to do something bad is high.

Jim June 24, 2015 at 5:12 pm

“When was the last time we saw majority whites rioting, burning their own neighborhood, looting and such?”
http://mic.com/articles/105198/9-photos-of-white-people-rioting-put-the-ferguson-demonstrations-in-perspective

CharlieChan June 24, 2015 at 12:37 pm

Are you ever asked to represent the morals and customs of your ENTIRE race? Why are you asking that of others?

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Raise Your Son Right June 24, 2015 at 1:25 pm

Mia wants her son treated in what I would call a normal way. She also made Trayvon Martin out to be a victim. Teaching her son that acting like Trayvon is acceptable, is to set him up for a similar tragedy. Teaching him respect, honesty, and consideration, will not only create a better overall image for young blacks, it will help him to avoid the tragedies we have seen so many of as of late which began with the persons most seriously damaged engaging in acts of TNB. Had they acted in a civilized manner at the outset rather than chimping out as they chose to do, they would likely be alive and well right now.

Please note that I am speaking of people who were engaging in criminal or criminal like behavior prior to their injury or demise, not the good people in a church who were murdered by a cowardly mad man.

CharlieChan June 24, 2015 at 2:13 pm

Raise him to respect his white betters. That’s what you’re saying, right?

Raise Your Son Right June 24, 2015 at 2:50 pm

Put words in someone else’s mouth much? His elders and peers, white elders and peers, Asian elders and peers, etc.
Understand? Or is it a fireign conept for you?

guest June 24, 2015 at 11:40 am

Liberal=American hating socialist . Libertarian=legalized drugs and weak foreign policy. RINO’s=Democrats

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Rocky June 24, 2015 at 11:43 am

Guests = trolls.

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guest June 24, 2015 at 11:44 am

Rocky=Socialist

RogueElephant June 24, 2015 at 1:56 pm

Excellent advise no matter what race.

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Mat June 24, 2015 at 11:11 am

I always respected Mia, until now. This is left wing, segmental drivel.
You just fell into the ranks of Al Shapton and Company

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CharlieChan June 24, 2015 at 12:15 pm

What? Do you have no heart? No sympathy for someone who just lost a friend in a violent act? Do you not see her as just as human as you?

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Rocky June 24, 2015 at 12:18 pm

“Do you not see her as just as human as you” – you can post that with one single edit on Lee Bright’s door at the State House – “Do you not see all our citizens as just as human as you.”

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CNSYD June 24, 2015 at 11:13 am

“I was acutely aware that I happened to be the only black person in the car,”
This tells you how Mia’s thought process works. Is it race first?

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Rocky June 24, 2015 at 11:17 am

Given you’re not judged on your skin color, I guess you fully understand her thinking – right?

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CNSYD June 24, 2015 at 11:37 am

1. How do you know my skin color? 2. How do you know who judges me and on what basis?

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Rocky June 24, 2015 at 11:47 am

Because if it was non-white – you’d have understood her statement. Try this – apparently was a big motto for Senator Pinkney – “put yourself in their shoes.”

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guest June 24, 2015 at 11:50 am

Forget about the race stuff Rocky. Muslim Obama just figured out a way to funnel money to terrorists holding American hostages. He is announcing that if ISIS kidnaps Americans that we will pay them money.

Bless his heart.

Rocky June 24, 2015 at 11:52 am

Back to Muslim = black President again? Good for you. As the song says “true colors, shining through.” Do you have the Confederate flag as your comforter at night. Use it to make your bed, so it matches the one hanging as a head board?

guest June 24, 2015 at 11:55 am

Look at his policies and hatred for Israel.As far as the Confederate flag Haley did the right thing. She stopped the violence before you all started it.

Taking the Confederate flag down is just the first step to removing the American flag from public grounds.

Rocky June 24, 2015 at 12:13 pm

I didn’t realize that Israeli’s are American citizens.

Squishy123 June 24, 2015 at 12:39 pm

Not only that, he’s funneling $29 million to the church and families of the people murdered.

Tazmaniac June 24, 2015 at 3:32 pm

Link?

Jack June 24, 2015 at 3:27 pm

You fucking idiots. The policy change was the government is no longer going to prosecute families who pay to have a family member released. If your child or spouse was about to be killed and you decided to pay money to get them released, I don’t think you should be put in jail. This has nothing to do with money from the government. But right wing nuts love to lie.

CNSYD June 24, 2015 at 3:34 pm

Once again you attempt to avoid the question. Who, other than you who has never seen me, has judged me based on my skin color? Was that the basis for their judgment? If you say yes, how do you know?

Squishy123 June 24, 2015 at 11:16 am

Here’s a better read than Mia’s letter:

We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable
for his actions.

Ronald Reagan

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Rocky June 24, 2015 at 11:17 am

Well since we can ask Ronald about his view on the events of last week – we’ll just have to assume that his quote is – in fact – not relevant here.

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Flippy Pogo June 24, 2015 at 11:20 am

Quit handing me my ass on a daily basis you jerk!

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God's Just Deserts June 24, 2015 at 5:56 pm

“Mommy Mommy!” — Droolin’ Ronnie, searing in Hell, to an unhearing and uncaring Nancy

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Squishy123 June 24, 2015 at 9:37 pm

I doubt that.
.

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RogueElephant June 24, 2015 at 7:44 pm

Personal liberty and personal responsibility go hand in hand. The liberals have no knowledge of personal responsibility. They are like a herd of sheep. Wherever the Judas Goat leads them will follow.

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Limbaughsaphatkhunt June 25, 2015 at 6:22 am

I know…sort of like when people listen to Rush and watch Fox News and form no coherent, personal opinion of their own.

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Limbaughsaphatkhunt June 25, 2015 at 6:24 am

Actually…even better, I’m sure the 9 people gunned down by a racist who used the Confederate flag as a symbol of that were personally responsible for themselves…until they got gunned down.

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Limbaughsaphatkhunt June 25, 2015 at 6:40 am Reply
Limbaughsaphatkhunt June 25, 2015 at 6:21 am

Lee and Stonewall are 69-ing in hell.

Here’s an idea. Instead of being a total racist asshole…just try and be a homosapien once in a while…like with a soul.

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sparklecity June 24, 2015 at 11:19 am

I understand where you are coming from Rep. Mcleod and can’t argue with what your are posting concerning the undercurrent layer of racism that exists. From what I understand Rep. Pinckney was a good and noble man – someone I would have been proud to meet and discuss things. The rest of the departed were no doubt good and kind people who embodied what a true Christian should be.. I am saddened by this tragedy.
That being said, in a few weeks when things settle down, perhaps you could journey over to the Senate side and have a few words with Senator Bright about his views on the Battle flag of Northern Virginia and why he keeps one in his senate office (so I’ve read) then talk to Senator Tom Corbin about his views on women. Both men are fine examples of southern Caucasian manhood who proudly state that they are Christians.
Without a doubt the state of South Carolina has handled this terrible tragedy with grace but the airwaves of talk radio in the upstate are full of defiance concerning the flag issue.
This very morning before Rep. Pinckney will be brought to the statehouse someone called WORD radio and stated that before all this is over there will be more blood spilled. The talk show host (“Tara”) did not dissuade this individual from saying BS like that and did not chide the individual. “Tara” is in it for the sinking ratings of a right-wing talk radio and ain’t going to bite the hand that feeds her.
No, Ms. Mcleod, there are some people out there with very strong feelings about this issue and with those feelings/attitudes which fosters covert racism will not wither away but remain a thorn in sensible people’s side (hopefully it stays that way and does not become a cancer).

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Rocky June 24, 2015 at 11:25 am

“the airwaves of talk radio in the upstate are full of defiance concerning the flag issue.” – well that ought to tell you something. As for any “violence” – my own experience is those that threaten publicly never act. But there will still be racists tomorrow and next month and next year in our state. Yet there is no place for them in our State House, and taking Senator Thurmond’s lead from yesterday, you confront it with transparency. Show them for who they are – and like worms dug up in the garden, they will retreat into the soil.

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guest June 24, 2015 at 11:28 am

Didn’t see ONE white person looting and burning Ferguson and Baltimore. Not ONE.

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Rocky June 24, 2015 at 11:30 am

Didn’t see one person at all looting or burning Columbia or Charleston. Not one. God you’re thick sometimes.

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guest June 24, 2015 at 11:43 am

They were blackmailed into taking the flag down! Flag down-NO violence.Once Sharpton got on the plane for Charleston it was a done deal.

Rocky June 24, 2015 at 11:48 am

Once Senator Davis saw that black cloth and vase with flowers on Thursday in the State House, and the inability to lower that flag in honor of Senator Pinkney – it was a done deal.

guest June 24, 2015 at 11:51 am

Ok Rocky.Lets talk about Pete Rose or something else.

ROcky June 24, 2015 at 12:15 pm

Pete Rose was a great ball player. Honestly I don’t know if he’s racist or not.

guest June 24, 2015 at 11:45 am

Sorry…me no click

Jim June 24, 2015 at 11:48 am

So you are intentionally blind?. Of course you are. Thats the problem with people like you. You put your fingers in your ears and close their eyes when faced with facts that don’t back up your hate.

guest June 24, 2015 at 11:53 am

I watched it LIVE on television.

Jim June 24, 2015 at 11:55 am

You watched what on TV? White people rioting in the streets? Well here is a suggestion. Google “pics of white people rioting” There will be plenty for you to see.

Rocky June 24, 2015 at 11:46 am

Like 10++++

Ferguson June 24, 2015 at 4:38 pm

Wiggers. They don’t count as whites.

Jim June 24, 2015 at 5:03 pm

Obviously you did not look at the pictures I posted.

CharlieChan June 24, 2015 at 12:20 pm

You didn’t look close enough, then.

I didn’t see one black person burning Jews in WWII. They were all white, they must represent their entire race! (You see, that’s what we call “racism”)

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sparklecity June 24, 2015 at 11:36 am

Then Bright (by his actions & words posted on this very site) should be the first one confronted.
No doubt most if not all “woofing” on upstate talk radio is just that = talk but is does show that there is an undercurrent and I agree it will never go away.

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Rocky June 24, 2015 at 12:16 pm

And he will be. In fact, I suggest he has already. He was going to make a big stink, now all is quiet from him. I’m guessing he was told, you make a big stink, your district’s school funding takes a hit.

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guest June 24, 2015 at 11:58 am

You liberals are ate up with this race stuff. Later.

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Jim June 24, 2015 at 11:59 am

You racist are ate up with this race stuff.

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SCBlueWoman June 24, 2015 at 11:22 am

Very well stated and from the heart. Yet, there are those who just don’t get it and never will.

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Squishy123 June 24, 2015 at 11:23 am

I think I first heard those exact same words said when someone was talking about the Confederacy.

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SCBlueWoman June 24, 2015 at 11:28 am

Don’t you just wish you lived during the boom of the confederate years?

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guest June 24, 2015 at 11:34 am

Would have probably been safer at the rate you abortion queens exterminate unborn children today.

Hillary says ‘all lives matter’-unless they are in the womb!

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SCBlueWoman June 24, 2015 at 11:53 am

Blah blah blah – vomit.

Squishy123 June 24, 2015 at 12:42 pm

Not really, they didn’t have A/C and people died of old age at 45.

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Flippy Pogo June 24, 2015 at 11:23 am

We have hard heads, bless our hearts!

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Victorious Secret June 24, 2015 at 1:55 pm

“our” — ?

The use of first-person (and plural). Is this Sic Willie?

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grandtangosuglydogwill June 24, 2015 at 6:59 pm

LMAO!!!He(We) did change his(our) avatar from sic at home in honor of Boz?Boz is some kind of illuminating cartoonist…my guess is the ‘speedo’ bro’s are having some fun…funny shit

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tomstickler June 24, 2015 at 11:34 am

House members voting against adding discussion of removal of the Confederate Flag from the Confederate Memorial on the Statehouse grounds:

Bedingfield, Eric M.
Chumley, William M.
Corley, Christopher A.
Gagnon, Craig A.
Gambrell, Michael W.
Hardee, Kevin
Hill, Jonathon D.
Nanney, Wendy K.
Thayer, Anne J.
White, W. Brian

Present, but not voting:

Burns, James Mikell.
Norman, Ralph W.
Pitts, Michael A.
Sandifer, William E., III.
Whitmire, William R.

Roll Call vote here: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/votehistory.php?KEY=10391

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CharlieChan June 24, 2015 at 12:24 pm

Or what we call a “Cowards List.” Someone should start a Kickstarter for helping fund opposing candidates in these races.

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Valley Rat Linthead June 24, 2015 at 12:28 pm

Chris Corely is racist scumbag. That fat bastard, runnin’ reb wannabe is a nasty individual, not too bright either. He sold his soul to the SCV long ago, and one of his best friends (Aiken County Treasurer) is a leader in the white supremacist movement, who writes revisionist historical fictions attempting to pass, shall we say, for intellectual musings of an unreconstructed white supremacist faux-scholar.

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Careful June 24, 2015 at 12:00 pm

without any judgment regarding the letter’s merits, I fear that too much “lecturing” can only serve to stiffen the necks of the pro flag crowd that is, perhaps, only temporarily humbled by last week’s tragedy. There is still PLENTY of time for the legislature to screw this up. IMHO, let’s focus on one thing at a time and not try to save the world all at once.

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erneba June 24, 2015 at 12:00 pm

Like yesterday, with Katrina Shealy, today we have to endure the mental meandering of another politician intent on exposing their profound, although misguided thoughts on this tragedy.
It was a dreadful event, one that was inspired by racism and the mental decay of one individual. He has confessed and I hope that he receives the maximum penalty for his crime.

“If we ever want to end this culture of hatred, injustice, intolerance, exclusivity and entitlement, our work begins “Now.” I’ve said many times…let that be the new “N-word.”
The left, to succeed with their political agenda, must always paint this culture as one of constant hate, total injustice to a certain segment of the population, etc.. as though things have not progressed and are not continuing to progress on this front.
Yes there are miles to go and problems to be solved. Maybe, when all the politicians get down to Charleston for the services, they should confer with the members of the church and then draw some inspirations from their actions and thoughts.
I think everyone has heard as much as they

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Careful June 24, 2015 at 1:45 pm

Yep. The victims and their families have already spoken louder than any pol could ever hope to do. And if the pols aren’t pontificating, then they are probably whining about who gets to take “credit” for something none of them had any hand in. Oh yes, our legislators can sure blow this yet.

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erneba June 24, 2015 at 1:58 pm

Yes, I would just like for the pols to show respect to the people killed and their families. When they start pontificating about the ills of society from a political point of view, they lose me and a lot of other people.

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Tazmaniac June 24, 2015 at 12:04 pm

“They’ll never know what it’s like to be hated simply because of the color of their skin.”-Mia McLeod

Oh really? Take a walk in my shoes as a white man married to a black woman. Strictly speaking from our personal experience, we get the most backwards, old school racism from black men, the older the worse. I’m surprised you managed to live through being the only black person in a carload of SC whites, what a story to tell your grandchildren. The idiot from last week specifically stated that he couldn’t find support for his views locally, only on the internet, yet you just want to set that aside because it doesn’t feed in to your narrative of a white racist behind every palmetto tree. I would suggest that if you step away from divisive politics and towards freedom for all that your career in politics will not be easier but more rewarding for yourself and your constituents of all races.

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Rocky June 24, 2015 at 1:07 pm

So Taz – honestly – do you also receive it from whites who don’t approve? Does your wife? But kudos to you.

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Tazmaniac June 24, 2015 at 1:26 pm

Sure. No one race has a patent on Stupid, but low intelligence is a commonality among most racists. They seem to have a need for a scapegoat to blame for their life of misery, so they pin their hate to a color and or people who are better off financially. That is so much simpler and lazier than introspection. Of course there are always the intelligent few who gain power by trying play to the lowest common denominator in human weakness.

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Victorious Secret June 24, 2015 at 1:47 pm

“[S]tep away from divisive politics and towards freedom for all.”

Walk-off grand slam.

Well done Taz!

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P. G. T. Beauregard June 24, 2015 at 12:16 pm

Mia, I saw that hateful picture you posted on Facebook, attempting to shame Governor Haley and Senator Scott. Just because they didn’t leave their seats when *you* wanted them to? Terrorists haven’t stalked Americans, all Americans? Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

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The Buzzman June 24, 2015 at 12:28 pm

An excellent, deeply thoughtful and heartfelt letter, Mia.

Comments here prove, though, that it’s mainly pearls before swine.

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Soft Sigh from Hell June 24, 2015 at 5:38 pm

Verily

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Politician exploits the stupid June 24, 2015 at 7:24 pm

Politicians love idiots at a time like this.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein June 24, 2015 at 12:33 pm

The Confederate flag flying on the Statehouse grounds killed those nine people just as surely as Saddam Hussein flew those planes into the WTC!

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The Colonel June 24, 2015 at 12:45 pm

Yeah – there’s a tremendous amount of truth there – but, and this is a big but, it’s time to begin taking some steps that show that racism isn’t acceptable. Will taking the flag down change the corridor of shame, fix our roads or even really change our thought about race? No.

Will some white folks think “okay, we’ve done all we need to do”? Yes
Will some black folks not be satisfied until every reference to Lee, Davis, the Confederacy or “states rights” is purged? Yes

Both are wrong.

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Rocky June 24, 2015 at 1:09 pm

Like 9++++

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RogueElephant June 24, 2015 at 1:53 pm

You lost me at the big but part. LOL In a few weeks everything will get back to normal, like always. The roads will still need work. People will return to normal work or whatever. The legislature will go on with whatever they do and all will be well till the next time , then it will start all over again. The biggest problem with all of society is no one really cares. If they did things would happen, but they don’t. Carry on Sir.

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CNSYD June 24, 2015 at 3:40 pm

Lee and Davis? That’s small fish. Lets eradicate every vestige of those slave holding Presidents like Washington and Jefferson. Strip the 10th amendment from the Constitution. States have no sovereignty much less any rights.

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To Media's Kool-Aid Drinker June 24, 2015 at 7:22 pm

Yeah, Saddam was just a great servant of the world, minding his own business. He’d never harbor, or allow training bases for, terrorists. He was harmless, and just loved America, like the media has convinced the mindless. Don’t be ignorant in your attempt to sound smart to the stupid.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein June 24, 2015 at 7:27 pm

Yeah, Saddam was just a great servant of the world, minding his own business. He’d never harbor, or allow training bases for, terrorists. He was harmless, and just loved America, …

Your reading comprehension teacher just attempted suicide…

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Squishy123 June 24, 2015 at 12:59 pm

Why are they making those white horses do all the pulling of the body down the street? They could have thrown him in the back of a Caprice Classic and hauled his ass the 11 blocks down there. Did they snap a picture of his grandchild saluting him John John Kennedy style along the route? Grandstanding, nothing but grandstanding.

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E Norma Scok June 24, 2015 at 2:19 pm

TL; DR.

What exactly, is “the culture of our capital city?”

Seems like crime and corruption are a large part of it.

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Your Conscious June 24, 2015 at 7:17 pm

Let’s be honest: The Democrat Party is home to the most-hateful and vindictive people in this country. Shut up and begin to contribute, Ms McLeod. All you, and those like you, do is run your mouth, tear down our best and complain when you’re not treated like a royal dictator. You should be ashamed of what you are. Our country cannot afford much more of your hate.

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