The Difference Between A Rally And A Community

One of the clearest lessons of Hayes Pond is the difference between a group that arrives to stage power and a community that already lives with one another.

The Klan could rent a field, bring equipment, print announcements, and gather supporters.

It could create the appearance of organization for a night.

The Lumbee did not need to create a temporary organization because the community itself was the organization.

People were connected by family, church, school, work, military service, neighborhood ties, and shared history.

The Klan had a membership list.

The Lumbee had a social world.

That difference is why the response could grow so quickly.

A threat to one family did not stay isolated because other people recognized the target as part of their own community.