Is there life after hate? The answer is yes for Frank Meeink who was the keynote speaker on Saturday during the Symposium Against Hate organized by One Human Family QCA.
Meeink wrote "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead," recounting his time as teenage Neo Nazi organizer. He went to prison at age 17 for kidnapping and torturing a rival skin head. During and after prison he had a series of encounters with people he was supposed to hate that eventually lead him to renounce white supremacy and encourage others to do the same.
"The good part about people with life after hate our instinct isn't to go 'you're so dumb for believing that' or 'how can you believe' or go at it with them. Our belief is going 'I get why you believe that I get why you think that way'. Here's why I don't think I don't believe that way anymore. But you never debate the ideology, never."
One Human Family QCA is a year old non-profit, created shortly after the presidential election. Co-convener Rabbi Henry Karp wants to go beyond protesting.
"Far and away, the people of the Quad Cities are caring people and are respectful people and are people who welcome diversity. And we want to keep it that way. We don't want the mood of this community to change."
After Meeinks speech, attendees went to break out sessions on related topics including Unlearnig white Supremacy, Child Wellfare, and Knowing Your Neighbor.