Mural won't let us forget past

\"Because the destruction of our culture has become accepted as the norm, they have forgotten how it used to be." Standing alone, this quote seems to promote learning from the past and encourage positive change. Actually this statement can be found on www.kukluxklan.org, which supports conservative ideas, implying protection for a white culture.\nThese conflicting interpretations are more than prevalent in light of the mural controversy last month. Concern was voiced over a painting in Woodburn Hall that depicted hooded KKK members and burning crosses. Although the appropriateness of the artwork needs further explaining (hopefully the increase in funds will fulfill this duty), the piece deserves protection. If destroyed our society will "have forgotten how it used to be."\nThe decision to keep the mural has such an astounding possibility to educate each generation about the gruesome past and continuing negative influences in Indiana. The Ku Klux Klan began as a way to control the black population through mystery and intimidation. These masked men hunted down slaves for sport and administered torture as recreation. "One writer proposed that the term Ku Klux Klan was suggested by the sound made in the act of cocking and discharging the rifles and shotguns," wrote Gladys-Marie Fry in "Night Riders."\nThis horrible past fills the history of many southern states, but when African Americans began moving North in search of jobs in the 1920s, the KKK's resurrection controlled the Midwest. The sad and undeniable truth is the largest Klan organization was in Indiana, where governors relied on their support for elections. In 1924, at its peak, there were more than three million members. \nThis familiar background surrounded the memory of the mural's artist, Thomas Hart Benton, in 1933. Demonstrating what he saw as great change, Benton obviously supported breaking down segregation but not forgetting the mistakes of the past. This vision should be commemorated because it was much before its time.\nObviously, every state, city and college campus has participated in numerous changes in laws and social behavior throughout the last century. But "about 200,000 Americans are active in hate groups," according to Kris Axtman's May 14, 2001, article in The Christian Science Monitor. During the 1990s different Klan groups emerged presenting new images, such as militia uniforms and drills. They claim to be family-oriented and call themselves intellectual racialists, which is very hypocritical.\nIt is our country's basis in this freedom of expression that conflicting groups like the Klan and the Black Student Union can verbally fight for their beliefs. It is also on this principle that the best decision of leaving the mural was made. Removing this art would not free Indiana from the past, and it could not stop current racism. Only using this powerful image as a teaching tool for debate will remind students and the community "of how it used to be."\nAt the same time, African Americans on this campus should feel proud about their ability to speak out. Ignoring the art only sends a message of tolerance and refusal to change. It is at universities that all kinds of prejudice must be addressed. As William Picken said about slavery in 1924, "The strongest chains with which the body of a man can be bound are the chains of ignorance"