So last Wednesday morning the pastor of a Pentecostal Church in Arlington wakes up and finds firefighters putting out a burning cross on his yard. Much concern has been expressed about this. A rally was held over the weekend with a "not here you don't" attitude. Two 16-year-old boys confessed to burning the cross and were arrested.
Scanning the paper today I see an article about the boys who confessed. They said the cross was a prank, targeted at a 17-year-old guy they knew. "Both admitted to doing a 'lawn job' at his house the week before, driving through the yard and leaving deep tire ruts." Apparently they were surprised to find out the 17-year-old's dad is a pastor....
Gads. Yes, I can see 16-year-olds thinking this is a "prank". The only time they've seen a burning cross, probably, was as background lighting in a Madonna video. Or a movie. I don't argue they aren't racist - they've been disciplined at school for racist remarks. But they primarily sound like overgrown 8-year-olds who've learned how to drive and little else. A slap upside the head might help...but their parents probably need it more for letting them get to age 16 with so little sense.
Scanning the paper today I see an article about the boys who confessed. They said the cross was a prank, targeted at a 17-year-old guy they knew. "Both admitted to doing a 'lawn job' at his house the week before, driving through the yard and leaving deep tire ruts." Apparently they were surprised to find out the 17-year-old's dad is a pastor....
Gads. Yes, I can see 16-year-olds thinking this is a "prank". The only time they've seen a burning cross, probably, was as background lighting in a Madonna video. Or a movie. I don't argue they aren't racist - they've been disciplined at school for racist remarks. But they primarily sound like overgrown 8-year-olds who've learned how to drive and little else. A slap upside the head might help...but their parents probably need it more for letting them get to age 16 with so little sense.