I graduated from college in 1996.
That year, President Bill Clinton signed an anti-church-burning bill into law. Between the time I received my high school diploma and my bachelor’s degree, more than 40 predominantly Black churches had been burned in the South alone.
Not in 1966. In 1996. A tough pill to swallow for the “that was a long time ago” crowd.
Tom Royals was the defense attorney for one of three young white males convicted of burning the Rocky Point Missionary Baptist Church in Mississippi back in 1993. Reportedly they yelled “burn, n—–, burn” as they sped away. Royals, who had lived in the state since the 1950s, described the arson as “irrational” and the arsonists as “young, drunk and crazy.”
“Racist” would have been more accurate. Certainly more direct. But not flattering. So, Royals took the scenic route in describing his client’s actions in hopes of softening the blow. It didn’t work.