Hoosier DUers - guess Martinsville hasn't fully rehabilitated its image.

[salin]

Look what I found - related to a story on Haley Barbour (former RNC chair, now running for Governor in MS)

http://www.indianacofcc.org/statemeeting.htm

The 'civilized' version of the KKK - is holding their Indiana meeting... in Martinsville. HooBoy. I hadn't heard about this.

For those unfamiliar, Martinsville, IN has long held a reputation as a hotbed of racist activity. It is situated halfway between collegetown Bloomington and state capital Indiana. Back in the 1920s, the KLAN was huge in this state, and for a period of time had a stranglehold on city (Indy) and state politics. After serious exposure (corruption) the hold of the Klan on the government was broken. Over the years as overt racism died down in several areas of the state... the city of Martinsville kept being the reported center of KKK activity. In the late 60s a tragic event cemented the cities image. A young African American woman was working with a sales team for an encyclopedia company who was in the town going door to door. She ended up being brutally slain. The crime was only solved in the last year - and it turned out that the killer was a nonresident.

In more recent years there was a bruhaha over public statements made by a top policeman (sheriff? police chief? not sure) that included anti gay and muslim comments. The bigger bruhaha was that in a city meeting the top elected officials defended the officer and blunted criticisms that as an officer the comments suggested that he may not be impartial to protecting people of groups he had denigrated. He appologized, but several churches loudly defended him.

Whenever the spurts of attention come up, others in the city fight to the image - pointing to citywide efforts at promoting tolerance and understanding. In truth, there have been active members in the community really trying to fight the battle for tolerance.

When the longstanding murder of the young African American woman was finally solved - and the city 'exonerated' - there seemed to be a long awaited expression from the press (in both Indy and Bloomington, iirc) that perhaps the long smear of racist reputation should be lifted and perhaps the media had longbeen unfair.

Guess some in the community... feel otherwise. *sigh*

[salin]

1. no comment? This is two days from now

less than 20 miles from where I live - and I have heard NOTHING about it. Ironically their meeting will be going on while there are peace actions throughout the country - including 20 miles from them. Perhaps a few moments of silence should be extended - for those who promote beliefs that are hateful and work against the peaceful existence of other fellow citizens, here at home.

[gottaB]

2. Martinsville is scary

Who in Bloomington was saying maybe the reputation wasn't deserved? I'm sorry but passing through Martinsville is an ordeal for many people. Really nervewracking. Sure, it's not the only racist town in Hoosierland. And a lot of people learn to cope with the fear, to make jokes or whatever. But I'd still tell people to avoid that town.

Well, it's been almost 10 years since I lived in Bloomington. But Jeesh, you'd have to be some kind of fool not to be concerned about racism around there.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

3. I just moved to Bloomington

I remember looking at homes in Martinsville on the Internet before we moved. I had no idea it was a KKK hotbed, and I feel fortunate that we never got very serious about looking in Martinsville. I guess I have a great deal to learn about my new home.

On a positive note, I have noticed a great deal of diversity in Bloomington. I live not too far from a Tibetan cultural center, and the downtown and university areas seem to be pretty integrated. Other things I'm impressed with: a GREAT used bookstore, really fast cable modem service, and beautiful fall foliage.

I'm still in absorption mode, but Bloomington seems like a pretty good place to me.