As I was reading different stories on the various news websites, I came across this one. Elwin Hope Wilson, a seventy-two year old former KKK supporter, who is entering into his final years on earth, issues apologies to the Black freedom fighters he attacked years ago.After reading about all the hateful acts Elwin Wilson participated in his younger days, I have to admit a certain amount of distain came into my heart for this man. Although, I have to give him credit for apologizing and facing the people whom he hurt. It does take courage to publicly admit one's faults and take accountability for your actions.
Yet, the skeptical side of me brings up the timing of it all. Elwin is near death and wants to make peace with all the evil that he has committed during his time on earth. The fact that as recently as ten years ago, he left his former church due to a pastor encouraging more blacks to attend there, is a red flag for me.
What's more interesting are these certain blacks folks who call Elwin a hero. Hero? The hero's were the men who Wilson attacked. Men like John Lewis, who got his face smashed in and speaks with speech impediment to this day, due to the beatings he received as a freedom rider. The hero's were the men that got humiliated or lost their lives to guys like Elwin Wilson.
I just wonder if these same folks rush to forgive their own kind when they make mistakes.
Anyway, if men like John Lewis are willing to forgive Elwin Wilson, who am I told to hold grudge against a man I never met and more than likely, never will.
One of my favorite bloggers, MacDaddy, wrote a great post last week about forgiveness. The necessity of letting go of anger and resentments to free oneself.
Yet, there are some crimes that are easier to forgive than others. For people who have been abused sexually or physically, I imagine forgiving is damn near impossible. But, necessary for them to move forward in life.
The abuse Elwin Wilson unleashed affected more people than he'll ever know. He stirred up resentments in some of his victims that still hurts all these years later. Apologizing for doing harm to these people does not make him a hero in my book, it just means he finally did what was right. He acted like a Human Being, which should be an expectation for us all, not something we should be praised or rewarded for.
What do you think? Is Elwin Wilson a hero for apologizing for his crimes against black folk? What do you think of these individual's who wrote to Wilson, calling him a hero? Let me know.
10 comments:
Justice delayed is justice denied. I've heard of super heros like Batman and Superman ...this guy and fools that call him a hero must be like the Joker and think we are blinded by some comic book blasts that rinder us stupid.
Riddle me this Batman: What's bigger than the truth?
Answer: Nothing! it is what it is and this is nothing but game. It should be in the funny papers and not in headline news.
Truth: good post.
Isn't interesting that some white folks don't ask for forgiveness, until they are on their dying bed? George Wallace did the same thing.
No, they are not heroes. It should not have taken him so many years to beg forgiveness for what he did. Rep. John Lewis is not hard to reach. I know. I used to live in the district he represents. He or one of his assistants get back to you in a day or two. However, I do believe people should be forgiven, if it comes from the heart. But in this case, I think he owes it to John Lewis to apologize to him in person, if at all possible.
Hell to the nawl this motherfucker is not a Hero.It has taken him 72 years to realize that Black people are humans to?
Give me a break. This old ass bigot has not changed. He is dying and he knows it. He is just trying to con God and everybody else in believing he is a different person. This is just like an atheist saying 'God forgive me' when he is one breath away from hell.
Hero?
Please. He is as much a Hero as OJ Simpson is.
I finished reading the article. Wilson doesn't think he's a hero, but I do understand why those that were affected by his cruelty offer him praise. His action really speaks volumes. Hopefully more young people in that region hear about his personal story.
So Truth, yeah, who am I to judge Elwin any differently. McCleod said he can't judge another man's heart. And I'm almost positively sure that MLK Jr. would praise Wilson if he were still alive.
Agape.
In respect to the fact that there are going to be some young (or at least younger) racists who will find themselves asking themselves this same question because of his actions, I have to grudgingly allow his open repudiation of his actions to be somewhat heroic. Even as a dying old man, he has opened himself up to making some young racist a hero by knocking him off to "send a message" that weakness among racists will not be tolerated.
But my first thought was along the George Wallace track. Even when it comes to those who are subject to the law, guilty White men go free for decades then go to jail before they die, when innocent Black men go to jail for decades before they are freed.
I'm big on forgiveness, but I can only forgive someone like that if I see "actions" that support his words. Is he going to give up some of his accomplices? Is he going to speak to young folks in communities where he is a hero and face criticism and hostility doing what he believes is right now in the same way he was praised for what he did in the past? His actions thus far can be deemed somewhat heroic, but whether he can be called a hero is based on what he does "next".
This old cracker is on his way to Hell but he wants to repent so he can get to Heaven. Lets not confuse someone actually feeling sorry for someone who is scared that he will reap what he has sown. Lewis maybe just wants to "so called" heal the wounds of a nation by publicly accepting his apology.
The Hero comment is because he not only messed up his speech but he must've lost his damn mind too. People want an apology so bad they ask someone on their death bed for it. This guy is on his way to hell if there is one and although some retarded Blacks keep forgiving because it's the Christian thing to do, it sure as hell wasn't the human thing to do.
Carey, Carey,
I think we both share the same view about this man, he is not a hero. I give him credit for making amends, but that does not make him a hero. It only means he's being accountable for his racist past. Being accountable and a hero are two different things.
Peace
MacDaddy,
We agree brother, people should be forgiven. If not, we'd all be in trouble. I just don't believe this guy is a hero. The men whom he hurt were the heros, not him.
Peace
Dirty Red,
Thanks for the passionate response and continued support.
We definitely agree that this man is no hero and I too question the timing of his apologies. But, only God knows whether he's being genuine or not.
Peace
Vee,
Thanks for the comment.
I agree, its best to forgive and move on.
I'm sure the statute of limitations has long passed, so you can't charge him for assault.
Although, its tough to do, you have to forgive to free yourself.
Peace
Dwane T.
I believe your assessment of the situation is fair. If his actions change and he behaves differently, then the word hero might be appropriate.
I also agree that it seems like White men in general get a pass. I believe if we were talking about violent Black men who now want to repent for past crimes, I doubt very seriously anyone, black or white would be calling them heros.
Peace
Freeman Press,
Thanks for sharing your comments.
To be honest, my first thoughts after reading the article weren't too different from the words you wrote.
I don't know if this guy is telling the truth or not. Either way, I can't control the way people feel or act, so I'm not going to own it. Its best we just let it go, it is what it is.
Peace
I don't think he's a hero. I think he's too old to beat the hell out of negroes so he's decided to repent before he dies. I know that people change, but damn.
He aint no damn hero..Just a man who wants to clear his conscience before he is judged in the here after. he could have apologized years ago when he was healthy.
StrongBlackwoman,
I agree with the first part of your statement.
Who knows about the second part? It is kind of convenient that he waits to the end of his life to apologize, but only he and god knows his heart.
Peace
Keith,
I agree that he's no hero, but I don't if he's genuine or not. Only he and god knows for sure.
Peace
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