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By Mike Cuenca | August 27, 2002
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In the ongoing struggle for economic justice and social equality for
all people, Kansans have a rare opportunity to restore a reputation
that was lost in one of the most important battles in that historic
struggle.
As we approach the anniversary of Brown v. Topeka Board of Education,
we must remember that only half a century ago the political forces that
opposed equality in education chose Topeka and Kansas as the place to
take their stand to defend segregation in the schools. We must remember
that Topeka and Kansas stood as defendants in that case and that they
were defending what they believed to be their right to provide one set
of schools for their white children and a separate set of schools for
their black children.
They felt so strongly about it that they fought for that right all the
way to the highest court in the United States. That stand is nothing to
have been proud of.
Now, today, we face a similar test. How will Kansas respond this time
around? Perhaps other states tolerate public incitement of violence
against members of their communities, but surely not Kansas. Will
Kansans show them that we know the difference between valid political
speech and criminal threats of violence and murder?
On Saturday, men wearing and waving swastikas threatened the lives of
our governor and all people in nearly every stigmatized group of
Kansans and Americans. Those of us who are outraged by their advocacy
of violence and murder must cry out that Kansas will not tolerate
hatred. Those of us who have been threatened deserve equal protection
from threats to our bodies and lives.
Let us all call upon the attorney general's office to immediately
indict those who have made direct threats of violence or death and to
prosecute them fully and for as long as is necessary to morally prevail.
Let's keep Kansas on the right side this time.
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Originally published by the Topeka Capital-Journal.
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