# WV black lawmaker gets email with KKK graphic and anti-abortion message...also sues. Is this right?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wv-black-lawmaker-gets-email-with-kkk-graphic-and-anti-abortion-message-also-sues-is-this-right/959845>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [February 21, 2022, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wv-black-lawmaker-gets-email-with-kkk-graphic-and-anti-abortion-message-also-sues-is-this-right/959845 "2022-02-21T00:09:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 47

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**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\
**Post date:** [March 1, 2022, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wv-black-lawmaker-gets-email-with-kkk-graphic-and-anti-abortion-message-also-sues-is-this-right/959845/47 "2022-03-01T09:09:56Z")

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> [@Max\_S](#):
>
> I think to change my mind, I would need evidence that the individual or organization behind the email have a history of more overt threats of racially motivated violence, or a history of perpetrating / sympathizing with racially motivated violence.

White people, as a group, have a history of actual racially-motivated violence against Black people, never mind threats, veiled or otherwise.

> [@Max\_S](#):
>
> No, in the specific instance where the person is compared to Nazis, there isn’t.

It’s got fuck all to do with the textual comparison, and everything to do with the imagery used.

> [@Max\_S](#):
>
> Burning a cross may be a threat, but it doesn’t follow that a images of a burning cross is a threat.

You’re wrong.

> [@Max\_S](#):
>
> A symbol is not inherently threatening;

No, they are made so by custom and context. So? _This_ usage is not devoid of either.

Are you looking to delve into the “cartoons of picaninnies are not _inherently_ racist” pit other posters have dug [in the past](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-to-think-i-cant-see-it-on-mulberry-street-six-seuss-books-retired-for-racism/934113/187)?

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