Temple Terrace, Fla. Citizen of the Year Travis Malloy will skip the banquet where he is to be presented with his award, protesting the country club’s hosting of a Sons of Confederate Veterans banquet on Sept. 2.
The event is the annual banquet for the Sons of Confederate Veterans Judah P. Benjamin Camp. The invitation-only dinner has been held at the club in years past, including last year, and this year state Sen. Dennis Baxley is among the speakers. But in a country — and a county — riven by racial tension fueled in part by the removal of Confederate monuments, the event has garnered more notice and alarmed people who worry it will draw white supremacists and foment intolerance.
Malloy offers cogent reasoning behind his decision:
"I love the Chamber of Commerce, the City, and most everything about Temple Terrace. I do not like the racist tones of fighting the War on the South. I would rather not give anyone my business who tolerates it."
A somewhat obtuse response:
David McCallister, commander of the camp, called that "ridiculous."
"The Sons of Confederate Veterans have been very explicit and up front that they will not allow anyone who is a member of any racist, KKK or neo-Nazi group to be a member, nor will we allow any expression of anything racist or white supremacist," McCallister said. "These people are severely misinformed about this banquet."
Some day, folks will grasp that the “heritage” they wish to honor and preserve is undeserving of such honor and fond remembrance. Until then, we get individuals like Malloy making a difference one hero at a time.