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 These could easily be seen as dark times in South Carolina, with
black churches burning to the ground and elected officials in the
Upstate stamping gay bashing with the seal of government approval. But
while the state continues to confirm the rest of the country's worst
suspicions about us, many South Carolinians with the most to lose see
these tantrums as a chance to turn things around. Ill will always
threatens to boomerang; this time it is just so public. May we all learn
from these lessons.
Black and gay activists see recent events as a call to action, and
welcome this kind of clarity in an election season. Believing in the
basic decency of human beings, they think these kinds of displays of
hatred only serve to motivate the public to defend the ideas this
country was founded on: freedom, equality and religious tolerance. Some
people think all of our battles have already been fought in this
country. Events like these remind us that they have not.
Given the ugly backdrop, this is a great time to organize in South
Carolina. We suggest you peruse the listings in Do Something (page 13)
and find a way to connect with those around you and use your talents
for the greater good. If, after that, you are still a rebel without a
cause, give the South Carolina Progressive Network a call at
803-254-9398 and see how you can make a difference.
The Network will be working with the Rainbow Action Network in the
coming months conducting public education and a voter registration drive
across the state. Look for them at your local catfish stomp/vegetable
fest from now until November. If you want a nonpartisan voter guide
(sort of Cliff Notes on the issues facing the South Carolina
legislature) write to the Network at P.O. Box 8325, Columbia, S.C.
29202.
This month's POINT feels a little lighter in your hands
because we are only 16 pages long instead of our customary 20. It is a
nod to our poverty and sloth nature both. Sue us. Better yet, send us
money.
Finally, if this month's issue is shot through with typos and
grammatical problems, blame it on Victoria, our proofreader. A real
trooper, she read this issue, but was also was busy birthing child
Number Four, a little girl with lots of names, the most important of
which is Dakota. Welcome aboard, kiddo.
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