2019年8月24日星期六

Race/Related: Ramps, Rhubarb and Racism

AUGUST 24, 2019

By Lauretta Charlton

race/related editor

I think about race a lot. It's my job. But I must say, I don't believe I ever thought about race while buying kale from my local farmers' market.

Until reading the story below.

Two farmers in Bloomington, Ind., have come under fire after federal court records and the leaked archives of a far-right message board revealed their connection to an organization that promotes white nationalism and "white American identity."

I'd like to believe that my summer trips to the farmers' market will be the same, but they won't. This is a cautionary tale. Even ramps and rhubarb can be ruined by racism.

Amid the Kale and Corn, Fears of White Supremacy at the Farmers' Market

Peppers and posters adorning a stand at the popular farmers' market in Bloomington, Ind. Accusations that a different stand's owners are white nationalists have left farmers and shoppers reeling.Mark Felix for The New York Times

By Jack Healy

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Justin Williams was baking a tray of gluten-free seeded bread for the next morning's farmers' market when his phone buzzed. It was a friend who grows organic sprouts, nervously wondering if he should bring along a shotgun to market.

It has been a summer of fear, protest and tension in this crunchy college town ever since the popular Saturday morning farmers' market was jolted by allegations that a husband and wife who had been longtime sellers of organic tomatoes and kale were also white nationalists.

The accusations exploded into public view after activists and online sleuths used federal court records and the leaked archives of a far-right message board to uncover a digital trail they say connects the couple who own Schooner Creek Farm to an organization that promotes white nationalism and "white American identity."

The rumors of white supremacy amid the stalls of clover honey and sweet corn left farmers and shoppers reeling: Not even their seemingly placid farmers' market was immune from the battles over extremism convulsing the country at a time of rising alarm over white supremacist violence.

In recent weeks, residents packed public meetings to debate whether Schooner Creek should be asked to leave or allowed to stay. There were protests and counterprotests. Some decided to stay away from the turmoil. Others, like Mr. Williams's farmer friend, were so disturbed by the unrest they considered arming themselves.

The situation grew so volatile that Bloomington's mayor suspended the market late last month over public safety concerns. It abruptly short-circuited the heart of Saturday morning life in this heavily white, liberal town of 85,000 that is home to Indiana University. The market has more than 130 vendors and draws as many as 12,000 people downtown at the height of the growing season.

"It's been the most challenging, complex difficult situation this market has faced in its 45-year history," said Marcia Veldman, the market coordinator.

Anti-fascist protesters showed up one weekend dressed in black to stand in front of Schooner Creek Farm's vegetable stall. A week later, armed members of a conservative militia group drove into Bloomington to support the farm against what they called anti-fascist enemies. Online, members of white nationalist groups have seized on the story and rallied behind Schooner Creek.

To continue reading this story, please click here.

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