Batts column: Where is God in the counter-protests to keep monument?

Over the past few weekends, I have been increasingly conscious of how the counter-protesters who come out each Saturday to support keeping the Confederate Monument at its current location are expressing hate. It may not be their intent but notice what they say with their words.

I listened to an old Stevie Wonder song during a recent meeting which brought words to what I have been feeling:

… Good morn or evening friends,

Here’s your friendly announcer

I have serious news to pass on to everybody.

What I’m about to say

Could mean the world’s disaster,

Could change your joy and laughter to tears and pain.

… It’s that

Love’s in need of love today.

Don’t delay.

Send yours in right away.

Hate’s goin’ ‘round

Breaking many hearts.

Stop it please.

Before it’s gone too far, yeah.

… The force of evil plans

To make you its possession.

And it will if we let it

Destroy everybody.

We all must take

Precautionary measures

If love and peace you treasure.

Then you’ll hear me when I say

… Oh that

Love’s in need of love today.

Those my age of all races raised in the United States will likely remember this song. If not, please listen to its lyrics by doing a Google search for the song.

I have been introducing the lyrics to the young people in my life. My message in this column is to invite each reader to consider the following:

1) we are living right now what Stevie Wonder, and many others were shining a light on back then in 1972.

2) The proliferation of guns has made this truth even more disastrous, particularly for young men and for others of the dispossessed.

3) As a town and state who profess to claim to espouse Christian values, how does hate belong at the center of town?

My experience is that most Edentonians do not support hate. Yet, to be silent is to allow it to continue. Notice the signs keep growing. Let us stop the hate. Let us find ways to have love, truth and compassion drown out those battling with hate. Our town should not allow protesters to express such symbols.

Shortly after the racial incident in Charlottesville, Virginia in August 2017, a group of conservatives organized a march in Boston, which has historically typically been a safe harbor for them. This time, the mayor set a clear limit. He said. ”You of course can march here but you cannot display provocative information including symbols of hate.” The word got out that they were coming but because of these restrictions, their numbers were exceptionally low. At that same event, thousands of citizens from all over Massachusetts and beyond came to show support for peace and equity.

Help us compel the counter-protesters to understand that moving the monument will mean that its history is still available, while we also interrupt one of the inconsistencies in Edenton’s portrayal of Civil War history. The Town Council and we as citizens must be the adults in the room. For many who really believe that some people are less important or worthy, acting in the service of truth and healing will not matter. But what about for the rest of us?

This is a moment to ask yourself and those in your congregation: if you are churchgoing, would Jesus tolerate symbols of hate?

Teach us/keep teaching us how to use our “righteous anger” to set limits and to stop the hate. This is my solemn prayer.

Please let the council know that you would like them to move on with the decision to move the monument as planned.