Scott Shepherd "Reformed Racist"
In Memory Of
"Rebecca Scott Hawkins"
Oct. 1925 - Oct.2018
Indianola, Mississippi
Scott Shepherd Reformed Racist Apologizes To The Martin Luther King Family And All Present!
At The Martin Luther King Jr Day Celebration In Atlanta, GA With My Friend And Brother Daryl Davis, Musician, Book Writer, Actor And Speaker!
Rest In Peace Becky And Family You Have Our Love Forever! Rebecca Scott Hawkins Passed Away October 2018 Just Two Days Before Her 104th Birthday!
"NO HATE CHOOSE LOVE"
Visiting Becky And Family At Her Home And At One Of Her Birthdays! Me, My Bother And Sister. Becky Raised Us All Including Our Mother From Birth!
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My Brother Jay, My Sister Jill, Me And Becky's Grandson Ricardo "Skimp" Hawkins My Life Long Friend And Brother!
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| WE ARE ALL FAMILY! FOREVER! |
My name is Scott Shepherd and yes I am a Reformed Racist of many Years! I was born and raised in Indianola, Mississippi, which is also the birthplace of the "White Citizens Council" a White Racist Organization that was very prominent in Politics in the 1950's and 60's. It is still in operation today as "The Council of Conservative Citizens" with Headquarters in St. Louis, MO. It is still the same Organization with just a different name.
I wish to add that the people of Indianola, Ms should NOT be labeled anything negative or considered in anyway remotely racist. The people of Indianola are good people who enjoy racial harmony today! Some areas of this nation and actually the world should look at Indianola and its great people and see how things can and do change. Indianola is an example of "Positive Change" And that is exactly what you will see if you ever visit that small Mississippi Delta Town! Another fact I wish to make sure people know! I was raised by a black lady but still ended up in the Ku Klux Klan also many, many more white supremacist organizations! Her name was Rebecca Scott Hawkins, I fact I was named after her. “Scott” Her entire family was my family. Rebecca also raise myself and four of my siblings. I was very grateful to have been able to reunite with her. She passed away two days before her 104th Birthday. I was in the hospital and unable to attend, however her family streamed the funeral live on Facebook so I was able to watch!
I borrowed the phrase "Free At Last" for my blog because it describes exactly how I feel. "Free At Last" from the negative life, anger and views that I once had and preached. It is a feeling of relief to have been set free from what had me trapped in a destructive life. It was not only destructive for myself but for those closest to me also. I am now "Free At Last" from that life of bondage, negative feelings and baggage!
I am on a mission of education and self education with hopes that I may help prevent other people and mainly younger people from falling victim to the racist recruitment traps and tactics used by racist organizations. On April 6, 2012 I made a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN. I will add that I have spent most of my life in Memphis and had never set one foot on the property of the Museum. After my visit that day I had the desire to go back on April 9, 2012 also again on April 30, 2012 for a third visit. In order to see parts of the Museum I was not able to see on my prior visits.
I was very shocked at how interesting the museum was and all the information that was available. I did enjoy the visit and learned a lot. At times I found myself ashamed and feeling sick to my stomach when I saw displays of "Organizations" that I had once been a part of. My racist life and activities started when I was about 16 or 17 years old, they continued until my early 30's, which included appearances on several National Television Talk Shows also some Radio Shows.
I had also been a Candidate for Public Office twice in Tennessee running openly for Governor and State Representative as a "White Activist". However I am not proud of this, but it shows how extreme and openly vocal I was with my racial views. My feelings and views started to change as my life evolved. I started seeing everyone for who they are "regardless" of their race.
I was a very misguided young person at the time who was not very happy. I had issues within myself that contributed to me directing those negative feelings toward others. I chose a life of racism looking for something in life that would fulfill the void within myself. It was a constant battle trying to live that type of life, when in reality I didn't honestly feel the things I preached.
I know I said a lot of hurtful things over those crazy years and there is not anyway that I can take it back. I can and have extended my apologies to many and continue to do so. I extend my apology to everyone that is reading this! With hopes that you can and will forgive me for the negative actions of my past. My life today is totally different. I am not the person I once was and I no longer live the negative racist life I once did. I am happy today and also happy with who I am!
My transformation from racist to non-racist began over 20 years ago. It started after several "life experiences" placed me in a situation where I had to make a "decision" and take a long hard look at my inner self. This allowed me to get totally honest with myself and with who I truly was. It took some time before I made my changes known and was able to grasp these changes which were taking place within myself. At that time I was able to start the positive restructuring of my life.
I chose to make a change and live a positive and happy life. I am very grateful for my life today living without the racist baggage I once had. Even though some of those "life experiences" that caused me to take a look at myself were painful, I would not give those experiences back. They changed me for the better and life is much happier today! I thank God everyday for guiding me and my life in the right direction!
I am hoping that my experience within the racist movement where I was well respected by all other racist will give me a chance to make a positive difference and change to "Stop" Racism! We are not born racist, somewhere and somehow we are taught it. The important thing is we can end it! We can't change the past but we can improve the future, by starting with our young people and teaching them tolerance and how to accept others for who they are. Maybe my experience can make a difference, I sure hope so!
I met and became close friends when I was active in the racial movement, with some of the most rabid and violent people within the racist movement. Some of these people were very active back in the 50's and 60's and were not strangers to violent acts. If the persons or organizations had a racist agenda it would be fair to say that I had a connection and was closely associated with them. There were also connections with "Pro-White" Organizations in South Africa and other countries. I also founded my own organization based in Memphis, Tn "National White Rights Association" which served as an umbrella for several groups.
Included on that list of people I met and shared a friendship with were Byron De La Beckwith who was convicted of the murder of Civil Rights Activist Medgar Evers, James Earl Ray convicted of the murder of Martin Luther King Jr, J.B. Stoner a convicted bomber and extreme racist from Georgia, Robert M. Shelton ( United Klan's of America Based in Alabama) and Sam Bowers (White Knights Of Mississippi Based in Mississippi) both were Imperial Wizards (Top Leaders) of violent factions of the Ku Klux Klan. Sam Bowers was Imperial Wizard of the Violent White Knights Of Mississippi, responsible for the the death of three Civil Rights Workers in Mississippi, that was the focus of The Movie "Mississippi Burning!"Also Tom Metzger a notorious White Supremacist (Separatist) and long time racist David Duke.
Others I were friends and associated with were Thomas Robb National Director of The Knights of The Ku Klux Klan and Don Black a former leader of a Ku Klux Klan Faction he is now head of Stormfront a White Nationalist Internet Network of White Supremacist. There were many others but the list is too long to name them all!
This list also included some "Military Style" Groups as well. Some were labeled "Militia" or "Mercenary" Groups that were "Paramilitary" one of which was The Civilian Material Assistance Group (CMA) that had operations in Central America. However the CMA was not only "Anti-Government" but also an "Anti-Communist" Mercenary Type Group.
The "Civilian Material Assistance" (CMA) was formerly called "The Civilian Military Assistance Group" Its founder and leader was Tom Posey of Decatur, Al. He was a former Marine, John Bircher and Ku Klux Klansman. They were strongly involved with the Iran-Contra Affairs. They were a private contra aid group, based in the United States with Headquarters in Memphis, Tn and Decatur, Al also with New Orleans, La and Miami, FL connections with interests in Nicaragua.
The Civilian Material Assistance had been suspected of being involved with illegally supplying shipments of weapons to the Nicaraguan Contra Rebels. This was investigated, and found that only humanitarian material aid was supplied and no laws were violated. To the best of my knowledge those connected with the activity, were never charged or prosecuted. The Groups founder and leader Tom Posey was later convicted on other charges, and served two years in prison and fined $20,000 Dollars. After his release he lived quietly until his death in 2011.
This is not to imply that "everything" was legitimate and some of those allegations were not true. Heads were turned and a lot of political maneuverings were definitely involved. You can Google it and read about it, then make your own conclusions.
It was not only racist organizations that I sought out to join and become a member of. I studied and sought out members of the "New Irish Republican Army" and "Organized Crime Families" also know as "The Mafia." I attempted and did make contact with members of these organizations, some were very high ranking members. My goal was to join the ranks of these groups. My main interest was with "The Mafia" which I did make contact with on several occasions. I also had friends within this organization. I usually refrain from speaking about this for personal reasons.
I must make it very clear that I myself never condoned or participated in any violent activity nor would I ever! I will continue to blog and inform you more of the life that I am happy and proud NOT to be a part of anymore.
This will only be the first of many blogs I plan to do. I have been asked and I am considering making public presentations in the future to tell my story with hopes of helping others. Please feel free to contact me anytime. Comments are welcome on this Blog at the bottom of the page. I also have a guestbook link at the top of this blog. My permission is granted for you to share this Blog as you wish!
Please be sure to visit the link page for more information!
Recommended Link Click Here: Scott Shepherd Racial Unity!
Thank You!
Scott Shepherd
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National Civil Rights Museum April 6, 2012 First Visit
National Civil Rights Museum April 12, 2012 Second Visit
National Civil Rights Museum KKK Display Third Visit
