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Re: Adam's Mark Hotel -- Organization of American Historians



As another angle on it, the nature of these particular allegations is an especially hot issue, one that an awful lot of people want to distance themselves from as much as possible, even if it means assuming guilt on the part of the accused where
there may well be none.

Besides the legitimacy of the charges, I'm also concerned about our tendency as human beings to be blown into all sorts of reactions to them by the hurricane of emotions that accompany them. What will happen if the S.A.A. and other organizations
cancel their contracts with Adams Mark, incurring major expenses and difficulties in the act, only to find that the charges were false? To me, that is as wrong as the filing of false charges to begin with.

Unfortunately, we live in some mightily screwed up times, as evidenced by the willingness of some people to bring down by any means possible whatever they find offensive, regardless of the damage done to anyone but themselves, and the zeal with
which some people will punish anyone who even dares be associated with a party accused of such offenses as those Adams Mark is being charged with. I make no assumptions of guilt on Adams Mark's behalf, nor do I automatically dismiss the allegations;
if they did do these things, let them pay the price. But a careful reading of the charges and the responses raises many, many questions about the situation.

Hoping for a just outcome to an increasingly nasty situation,

Thomas Berry, Archivist
Historical Construction Equipment Association
Bowling Green, Ohio

King Solomon, where are you when we need you?



Shirley Derrick wrote:

> The Adams Mark Company has not been found guilty of racism but what has happened in my opinion is that organizations are trying to steer clear from the allegations that would have an impact on how their particular organizations are viewed.
>
>  I agree that it is unfair to all involved but the choice not to utilize the hotel's accommodations is not just limited to the Organization of American Historians.  It has become a widespread problem due to the publicity this issue has received.
>
> Shirley Derrick
> Assistant Records and Information Manager
> Briggs & Stratton Corporation
> Milwaukee, Wisconsin
>
> >>> "Diane C. Russell" <dcrussell@MAILANDNEWS.COM> 02/15/00 01:37PM >>>
> I'm a little confused here.
>
> Has the Adams Mark Company been found guilty of racism or whatever they are accused of in any competent court of law, either civil or criminal?  If so, than these OAH actions might be justified.  Can someone give us a citation?

> But, if the company has not been found guilty, what is going on?  It sounds to me as if the OAH and some of its members don't want to give the company a chance to defend itself.  They seem to be insisting that the company admit guilt without a
> defense.
>
> Is this fair play?  Or are the OAH and its members making hateful statements and engaging in a criminal conspiracy to deprive Adams Mark of it's right to defend itself and working to extort a settlement from Adams Mark whether deserved or not?
>
> What if I accuse the OAH of blackmail and demanded a settlement?  Using their apparent standard, making the accusation should be enough for them to be presumed guilty.  I shudder to think what these historians are teaching our youth about
> fairness, rights, and liberties.
>

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