Johnny Cash Family ‘Sickened By Association’ With Charlottesville Neo-Nazi
It is always unfortunate when a hate group photographed or videoed wearing their obvious insignia identifications of swastikas, confederate flags and white robes happen to be also wearing a tee shirt with a beloved iconic country singing star and imprinting on people’s minds that group represents his or her beliefs too. This is exactly what happened when a prominent picture in the news showed an alt-right white supremacist marcher wearing a Johnny Cash tee shirt. A self-proclaimed neo-Nazi wearing a Johnny Cash tee shirt during last weekend’s violent Charlottesville, Virginia protests has been disavowed on social media by the late singer’s family, who claim they were “sickened by the association.” Rosanne Cash shared a Facebook post on behalf of herself and her siblings Kathy, Cindy, Tara and John Carter, where they describe their country icon father as “a man whose heart beat with the rhythm of love and social justice.”
# “To any who claim supremacy over other human beings, to any who believe in racial or religious hierarchy: we are not you,” the post reads. “Our father, as a person, icon, or symbol, is not you. We ask that the Cash name be kept far away from destructive and hateful ideology.”
They continued with the post to say:
A message from the children of Johnny Cash:
“We were alerted to a video of a young man in Charlottesville, a self-proclaimed neo-Nazi, spewing hatred and bile. He was wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the name of Johnny Cash, our father. We were sickened by the association. ““Johnny Cash was a man whose heart beat with the rhythm of love and social justice. He received humanitarian awards from, among others, the Jewish National Fund, B’nai Brith, and the United Nations. “He championed the rights of Native Americans, protested the war in Vietnam, was a voice for the poor, the struggling and the disenfranchised and an advocate for the rights of prisoners. Along with our sister Rosanne, he was on the advisory board of an organization solely devoted to preventing gun violence among children.” “His pacifism and inclusive patriotism were two of his most defining characteristics.”
“He would be horrified at even a casual use of his name or image for an idea or a cause founded in persecution and hatred. The white supremacists and neo-Nazis who marched in Charlottesville are poison in our society, and an insult to every American hero who wore a uniform to fight the Nazis in WWII. Several men in the extended Cash family were among those who served with honor.” “Our dad told each of us, over and over throughout our lives, ‘Children, you can choose love or hate. I choose love.’ “We do not judge race, color, sexual orientation or creed. We value the capacity for love and the impulse towards kindness. We respect diversity, and cherish our shared humanity. “We recognize the suffering of other human beings, and remain committed to our natural instinct for compassion and service.” “To any who claim supremacy over other human beings, to any who believe in racial or religious hierarchy: we are not you. Our father, as a person, icon, or symbol, is not you. We ask that the Cash name be kept far away from destructive and hateful ideology.”
“We Choose Love.”
Hooray For The Carter Family To Express Their Father’s Fair And Loving Beliefs In The Face Of Hate
Susan Z’s Conclusion:
Unfortunately, even white supremacist haters like country music and Johnny Cash was one of the best. The Carter family could have chosen to just ignore the association between their father and the man in the video but they took a stand which shows every word they have written about their father probably is true. HATE FAILS WHEN TRUTH PREVAILS!!!
Ace of Swords: Inverted (Upside Down)
Cutting away the crap and anything that is not needed. I am sure any “good ole country boys” who love country music and Johnny Cash are disappointed that he did not and his family does not also carry their hateful beliefs.
Eight of Cups:
Disappointment with a situation and leaving it behind. I feel this is exactly what the Carter family did with their statements and making sure everyone knew how disappointed their father would be if he thought his legacy was associated with such bigotry and hate.
Knight of Pentacles: Inverted
A man of solid integrity, honest and can be counted on. Pulled inverted, I believe it completely represents the wrong image of Johnny Cash that was presented and his family making it right.
Susan Z Rich is an emotional addiction counselor, spiritual intuitive and holistic therapist. She counsels others to see life in a more positive way and teaches personal accountability for life choices. She is also the author of several children’s books and Soul Windows…Secrets From The Divine.