podium. “We will be discussing border security, rebuilding America’s sovereign economy, veterans’ affairs, protecting American jobs and promoting and defending our predominately Christian cultural heritage,” he said. Culpepper said the left wing drums up sensationalism and con-
ducts scare tactics to “discourage people from hearing our message.” He described himself as “a recovering Republican,” who has been politically active since he was 18. The policies of then-President George Bush eight years ago made him leave the party. He works a 9-to-5 job, is building a house, and is local to the area. “We’re full-time workers and part-time political activists,” he said. Culpepper describes NSM as a grassroots and political organization. Ultimately, NSM would like a white congressional caucus in the U.S. Congress, similar to that of the Latino and black caucuses. As for SPLC labeling NSM a hate group, “They’re race hustlers, plain and simple. Ditto for Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson,” he said. Civil rights are for everyone, he said, and their interest is only for black America. NSM worries about racial vio-
lence, flash-mob attacks, and gang rapes. “These attacks should be termed sectarian violence or even incidents of tribal warfare,” Culpepper said, labeled in the same way as the genocide in Rwanda and the conflicts between Sunni and Shiite Muslims. The races, NSM alleges, cannot coexist. They
“
What’s so irrational about those full of fear is that the new privileges that they now have came from the civil rights movement.”
predict the nation will topple into a second civil war. “We’re, unfortunately, the bearers of bad tidings,” he said. According to Culpepper, NSM believes the way to stop this scenario is, “Geographic separation— that is the only answer,” with
10 • The Pulse • May 1-7, 2014 • chattanoogapulse.com
blacks going to Africa, Asians back to Asia and mixed races back to the Middle East. Still keeping eyes on the prize For prominent civil-rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, this kind of hatespeak is only the expression of fear. Race relations in the South
have been steadily improving since the ’60s when Jim Crow laws ruled. “There is still resistance,” he said, “but the fact is that we can use any hotel, motel, public park or library. It’s better. We can go to a ball game together.” Jackson was in Chattanooga for a rally the day before the protest, as a way to take attention off the NSM. “There is an undercurrent of fear trying to go backwards,” Jackson said. “But what’s so irrational about those full of fear is that the new privileges that they now have came from the civil rights movement.” Under “the Cotton Curtain”, Jackson said, Chattanooga would not have its auto plant, its progress, and its success. Chattanooga has changed. When Martin Luther King, Jr. was gunned down in Memphis, riots broke out, and hundreds were arrested in the city. At that time, people were in “self-
destruction, of anger and fear, hurt,” Jackson said. He visited the city to talk to community leaders, to try to bring calm. This time Jackson did not come because he worried rioting and violence would happen. He came to stand with a unified group of pastors, “to solidify a plan of action for continuous fight for jobs and justice, for healthcare and education.” Not with a bang, but a whimper At the protest, the bikers walked through the crowd the first time without incident, only pausing to shake the hand of one of the observers. A few minutes later, they returned. They saw another man they knew, standing close and behind some of the most energetic protesters. One of the bikers greeted him with a hug. They stood together in a small knot, their backs to the rest of the crowd. One protester noticed their presence, then another and another. NSM was distant and now forgotten. The enemy was here, in their midst. A ring formed while police slid between the two groups. One protester in pink hair shouted at the bikers, his two middle fingers inches from their backs. The bikers shouted nothing back. The police escorted the bikers down the street. By 4 p.m., the NSM members were done with their protest. One last “Sig Heil” and their flags dipped. For 90 minutes, the counter-protesters had drowned out them out. There was no direct confrontation between the two groups, no punches thrown, no bloodshed. Racism may have hissed. Brotherhood roared back.