Rush Limbaugh Constant Race-Baiting is a Throwback to a Dark Period in America's History Where Black Men Lynched & White Perpetrators Went Free

Rush Limbaugh relentless race-baiting reminiscent of the denigration and lynching of black men during Civil Rights era.

While Rush Limbaugh has stooped so low in the muck of race-baiting, it is worth looking at the civil-rights era cold cases that have not been solved. It's a sad commentary that over a half-century, from 1882 approximately 2,500 blacks were killed, mostly by white men for no other reason but because of race, according to "Festival of Violence," written by E. M. Beck and Stewart E. Tolnay. The reality is the history of lynching in the U.S.A. has left in indelible stain on the fabric of our lives. That's why I find it so disheartening that President Barack Obama, the nation's first black president, has been treated with such disdain and is the subject of much race-baiting from Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck. Dr. Laura Schlessinger was fired for her repeated use of the word n**ger. Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck have been coddled for their racially charged criticisms of Obama. Why?  Well, I would like to remind my readers of the scourge of lynching and the innocent lives taken from their families.

Here's a list of the names of black men and women in Georgia who died under mysterious circumstances at the hands of a small group of racist whites in the South:

Brazier, James - Dawson, Ga., 1958
Brazier was beaten to death in front of his wife and children by two police officers. County Sheriff Z.T. Matthews was later quoted in the Washington Post saying, "There's nothing like fear to keep niggers in line."

Brewer, Thomas - Columbus, Ga., 1956
Brewer was instrumental in forming a local chapter of the NAACP in 1937. He was shot seven times outside his office by white politician Lucio Flowers. A grand jury failed to indict.

Countryman, Willie - Dawson, Ga., 1958
Police officer W.B. Cherry was cleared of murder charges after police said he shot Countryman "in self defense in the line of duty."

Greene, Mattie - Ringgold, Ga., 1960
Greene is killed when a bomb explodes under her house.

Hall, A.C. - Macon, Ga., 1962
Hall was shot and killed after a white woman claimed he stole a pistol from her car. He was shot by police as he ran away.

Harris, Alphonso - Albany, Ga., 1966
Harris, a member of SCLC, died after allegedly organizing a walkout by black students at a school in Grenada, Miss. He was killed in Georgia in response to previous civil rights activity there.

Hill, Arthur James - Villa Rica, Ga., 1965
Hill was shot during an argument with whites. One suspect was held on voluntary manslaughter charge.

Hunter, Ernest - St. Mary's, Ga., 1958
Hunter was shot and killed while in jail following an arrest on charges he was interfering with an officer.

Jeter, Joe Franklin - Atlanta, Ga., 1958
Jeter was killed by police in front of his family, who were also arrested and convicted in connection with a gathering that police said turned into a melee. A grand jury found the slaying was justified.

Miller, James Andrew - Jackson, Ga., 1964
Miller was shot by whites a few days after being beaten. A suspect was cleared after the coroner ruled he fired in self-defense.

Pickett, C.H. - Columbus, Ga., 1957
The part-time minister was beaten to death while in police custody.

Sanford, Willie Joe - Hawkinsville, Ga., 1957
Sanford's naked body was raised from the bottom of a creek where it had been wired to undergrowth in the water. The result of a grand jury investigation is unknown.

Varner, Hubert - Atlanta, Ga., 1966
Varner, 16, was killed when a gunman fired into a group of black teenagers. The gunman allegedly believed the teenagers made a comment to his white companion. The result of a federal investigation is unknown. Source: Southern Poverty Law Center

I could go on and on, but this is enough to remind people like Rush Limbaugh that race-baiting is counter-productive and mean-spirited. Hit President Obama and Democrats, specifically James Clyburn on the issues, not the issues based on their race. To say that President Obama's presidency is "graffiti on the walls of America's history" and referring to Jim Clyburn as "Driving Miss Daisy" is disgraceful and just plain racist. Surely we can agree to disagree respectfully.

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