{"id":8774,"date":"2011-09-12T07:00:22","date_gmt":"2011-09-12T13:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/casadeblundell.com\/jonathan\/?p=8774"},"modified":"2011-09-19T14:42:09","modified_gmt":"2011-09-19T20:42:09","slug":"a-second-chance-for-the-kkk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/casadeblundell.com\/jonathan\/a-second-chance-for-the-kkk\/","title":{"rendered":"A second chance for the KKK"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Never<\/a>
Who would you give a second chance? | Illustration by People of the Second Chance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The American Civil Rights struggle can teach us a lot about love and forgiveness \u00e2\u20ac\u201d especially that of loving our enemies.<\/p>\n

“The black freedom struggle is the best example of bringing together the quest for unarmed truth and unconditional love in the face of American Terrorism for 400 years. Instead of a Black al-Qaeda you get Frederick Douglas and Martin Luther.” \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Dr Cornel West<\/a><\/p>\n

Of all the inspiring stories that have come from the Civil Rights struggle in America \u00e2\u20ac\u201c one of the most powerful ones I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve heard is the story of Rev. Wade Watts.
\n
\nI’ve shared his story<\/a> before, but it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s always such an an amazing reminder of the power of love.<\/p>\n

When Wade Watts walked into a restaurant in the late 1950s, a waitress confronted them at the door and told Watts that the restaurant did not serve Negroes.<\/p>\n

With a smile, Watts replied, “I don’t eat Negroes. I just came to get some ham and eggs…”<\/p>\n

When the Klan showed up at Wade\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s house in their hooded robes they called Wade out and he came out and said, “Boys, Halloween\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s four months away, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got no trick-or-treat in here for you. Come back in October!” And he turned around and went back inside.<\/p>\n

The Klan was left dumbfounded \u00e2\u20ac\u201c not sure how to respond to this man who didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t respond with anger or rage.<\/p>\n

They later set a cross on fire across the street from his house and Wade came out asking if they needed hot dogs or marshmellows for their BBQ.<\/p>\n

When surrounded by members of the Klan at a roadside diner, the Imperial Wizard told Wade, “Whatever you do that chicken we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to do to you.”<\/p>\n

Wade looked down at his plate, picked up the chicken and kissed it.<\/p>\n

It seems like Rev. Wade took his own preaching seriously. He walked a walk of scandalous grace. Giving second, third, forth (and more) chances to the very group of people who wanted to see his demise.<\/p>\n

In the end, it was the love and forgiveness of Rev. Wade that changed the heart of the Imperial Wizard.<\/p>\n

Not cyclical or redemptive violence \u00e2\u20ac\u201d but redemptive love.<\/p>\n

See the Imperial Wizard Johnny Clary tell the story:<\/p>\n