Essay Forty-Eight

On the road with cross-country and cross-burning MultiCultClassics Minutes…

• Three cross burnings occurred on Wednesday night in Durham, North Carolina, with Ku Klux Klan flyers present at one location. State law prohibits burning crosses without the property owner’s permission, and violators can be slapped with a misdemeanor. Wow. Hats (and hoods) off to the no-nonsense legislators behind that tough law. Regarding Wednesday’s events, Mayor Bill Bell said, “People do things for different reasons, and I don’t have the slightest idea why anyone would do this.” Hey, Mr. Mayor, here are a few ideas: racism, fear, ignorance and hate.

• Muslim and non-Muslim students at the University of Michigan-Flint are battling over the use of a room for reflection and prayer. The Muslim students allegedly commandeered the space, filling it with religious stuff and anti-Israel literature. Non-Muslim students complained and Muslims students counter-griped. Officials unveiled new rules for the University Center’s Meditation Room. A spokesperson stated, “Anyone can go there to pray or [do] what they want. It’s not set up for one religion in particular.” Look forward to cross-burning toga parties soon.

• Do you know the way to San Jose? Mervyn’s Department Stores in this California region apparently don’t know the ways of local hoodlums, as the retailer sold t-shirts featuring the color and number of the infamous Norteno street gang. Mervyn’s inevitably pulled the merchandise from its shelves. Probably after noticing all the pimped-out rides in the stores’ parking lots.

• Somali cabdrivers at Cleveland’s airport claim cops are discriminating against them by issuing tickets when they leave their cabs for traditional Islamic prayer. Muslim requirements include five formal prayers daily, with recommendations for being freshly cleaned with water. As a result, cabbies leave their cars to pray in certain areas and wash in the airport restrooms. Police leaders insist officers are enforcing the law, which includes mandates stating drivers must remain in their cars outside the terminal. In North Carolina, cabbies can burn crosses and probably receive lesser penalties.

• Speaking of Ohio, Dave Chappelle has been spotted in his hometown of Yellow Springs. Okay, let’s get this straight. Chappelle is not battling drug problems. And he’s not receiving treatment at a South African mental health facility. But he does live in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Now that’s crazy.