Wednesday, June 10, 2009

A Black Man Dies Defending The Holocaust Museum



pic courtesy CBSNews.com

At today's shooting at the Holocaust Museum by James W. von Brunn (left), security guard Stephen T. Johns (right) gave his life in defense of the museum and its patrons.

There's a certain karmic balance (not the best phrase, but it's the best that I can come up with right now) in a black man giving up his life to defend the Holocaust Museum against an attack from a strident white supremacist/anti-Semite.

The African-American and Jewish communities have had their differences over the years, but today's tragedy should serve as a reminder that they have far more to unite them than to divide them.

Shared enemies being at the top of the list.

My deepest condolences go out to the wife, family, friends, and colleagues of Mr. Johns.

On a personal, even selfish, note, my sister had already made plans to visit the museum this weekend with her son. As such, my deepest thanks go out to Mr. Johns and the other security guards who stopped Mr. von Brunn. Their quick and courageous actions, and sacrifice in Mr. Johns' case, helped to safeguard my family members and all of the museum's visitors.

2 comments:

Eli Blake said...

Ironic indeed. I hope that a foundation is set up for Mr. Johns' survivors.

just jen said...

This is heartbreaking. Absolutely heartbreaking. What's more, isn't it also ironic that the very "group" of folks who trembled in theatrical fear that if elected then candidate Obama wouldn't protect Israel hasn't said much very much...especially considering, as you and some in the MSM have noted before, that the April DHS report pretty much sounded the alert, though not with any specificity. The same "group" subsequently smacked down that report....to suggest that "that group" has reached a new level of irrelevance is the best I can do. For now anyway.