kkk-naacp-meeting

 

In the history of America’s battle with race relations, we’ve never heard of the Ku Klux Klan and the NAACP agree on civil rights issues. Fact of the matter is that we’ve never seen the two organizations come together…especially for a sit-down discussion which resulted in one becoming a member of the other.

 

Well, the Associate Press is reporting that such a thing happened over the weekend in Casper, Wyoming.  John Simmons, President of the Casper NAAP chapter, and John Abarr, a KKK organizer from Great Falls, Mont., came together in a secret meeting in a hotel in Casper. The union came about after Simmons received reports that someone in Gillette (a small town outside of Casper) were distributing KKK literature. Simmons also called on the meeting to discuss ongoing black and white race relations and suspect beatings of African-American men.

 

Abarr, instead, insisted that he didn’t know anything about the literature and the suspected beatings. But, a local law enforcement officer confirmed that there have been at least 10 incidents of harassment since 2008. The police officer also stated that they have not been able to catch up with the young man accused of distributing the KKK literature.  This is the first time any KKK activity has been heard of in Gillette.

 

Abarr told the AP that he didn’t think much came out of the meeting. On the other hand, Simmons believed their meeting was productive.

 

“It’s about opening dialogue with a group that claims they’re trying to reform themselves from violence,” Simmons said. “They’re trying to shed that violent skin, but it seems like they’re just changing the packaging.”

 

Whether Abarr got any new revelations out of the meeting or not, he did become a member of the NAACP.  In order to get a better understanding of the NAACP’s mission and purpose, the KKK organizer paid $50 and joined the organization. His membership will guarantee that he receives all newsletters distributed by the NAACP.

 

 

 

Could this really be a sign that America is moving in a positive direction regarding race relations? Let us know what you think.