How To President, Part 1 – Comfort A Black Family That Endured KKK Cross Burned On Lawn

This may be instructive (though it probably won’t be) to a certain cheddar-hued gesticulator.

The Day President Reagan comforted a black family

In 1982, President Reagan read about a black family in College Park, MD that had just won a civil suit against a local KKK member who had burned a cross on the lawn of their home. He was moved, and insisted on meeting the Butler family. He asked staff to arrange it, and they were contacted at their work to give advance notice (both husband and wife worked for the government printing office). After completing some work and taking some meetings, he helicoptered over after 4pm to visit their home with his wife Nancy.

It was a cordial visit, that ended with hugs and good wishes. It was symbolic, but also warmly personal. The College Park family not only won their suit (it’s unclear if they ever got the money awarded), but the President of the United States dropped by to personally offer his support. It was a remarkable moment.

I never cared for Reagan, but I never doubted that he was President, though in his later years I had my doubts about his mental capacity. He was “the photo opportunity President,” and I remember thinking that he never missed a chance to be part of a “feel good” story.

But he made this happen, and he reached out to the Butlers in a way that seems, in hindsight, heartfelt.

Source: The day President Reagan comforted a black family who had a KKK cross burned on their lawn – The Washington Post