Teh One Who Knocks
08-10-2012, 12:43 PM
By Chad Oliver, NBC2 Reporter
http://i.imgur.com/xQu06.png
LEE COUNTY -
Race and politics are two topics many people try to avoid. But controversy isn't stopping one Cape Coral teenager. It's just how he's getting his point across that got our attention!
For many people, just seeing the Confederate Flag can stir up some very strong emotions. And seeing President Barack Obama's picture next to that flag is something you might not expect to see.
Now though, the juxtaposition is part of a political message is part of a 16-year-old Ryan Turner's political message.
Ryan says he has the heart of a redneck.
"It's someone who's not afraid to get down and dirty for their money - someone who's not afraid to work hard wipe the sweat off their brow," he said.
"May use a little foul language once in a while but they're not bad people," added his uncle, Tony Turner.
Ryan explained his uncle Tony has been a big part of his life – especially since his father died of cancer 10-years ago.
"If he had good health insurance it would be totally curable - prostate cancer," Ryan said.
And it's that idea - healthcare reform - that steered Ryan toward one candidate.
"Oh, definitely President Obama," he said.
He even started a 'Rednecks for Obama' Facebook page.
"We're rednecks, but we're not racists," he said.
The premise is not exactly original. We found similar groups formed the last time Obama ran for president.
Ryan says where some see a symbol of hate in the Confederate Flag, he sees history.
"It's very, very likely my family fought in the Confederate Army," Ryan said.
"When I grew up in Plant City, Florida, they were still fighting the Civil War," Tony added.
It shouldn't be surprising to hear Ryan and his Uncle Tony to talk about southern heritage. After all, they live in Lee County, Florida - place named after confederate general Robert E. Lee.
When Lee County democrats opened up their new headquarters on Saturday, Ryan brought his own decoration - America's first black president conjoined with the Confederacy.
Moments later party leaders asked Ryan to take it down.
"If somebody is offended by it, I can understand it because they're only seeing one half of the flag," Tony said.
James Muwakkil, President of Lee County's NAACP, says he doesn't mind the Confederate Flag next to President Obama.
"Not if the intention is positive," he said. "For us to be here in the Deep South, and to see whites embracing an African-American man - we love it."
"The reason for the group is to prove not all southerners are racist," Ryan explained.
Lee County democratic leaders canceled our interview for Thursday.
We reached out to the Obama campaign to find out if they endorse Rednecks for Obama. They welcome the support, but did not want to comment on whether they support the use of the Confederate Flag next to the president.
http://i.imgur.com/xQu06.png
LEE COUNTY -
Race and politics are two topics many people try to avoid. But controversy isn't stopping one Cape Coral teenager. It's just how he's getting his point across that got our attention!
For many people, just seeing the Confederate Flag can stir up some very strong emotions. And seeing President Barack Obama's picture next to that flag is something you might not expect to see.
Now though, the juxtaposition is part of a political message is part of a 16-year-old Ryan Turner's political message.
Ryan says he has the heart of a redneck.
"It's someone who's not afraid to get down and dirty for their money - someone who's not afraid to work hard wipe the sweat off their brow," he said.
"May use a little foul language once in a while but they're not bad people," added his uncle, Tony Turner.
Ryan explained his uncle Tony has been a big part of his life – especially since his father died of cancer 10-years ago.
"If he had good health insurance it would be totally curable - prostate cancer," Ryan said.
And it's that idea - healthcare reform - that steered Ryan toward one candidate.
"Oh, definitely President Obama," he said.
He even started a 'Rednecks for Obama' Facebook page.
"We're rednecks, but we're not racists," he said.
The premise is not exactly original. We found similar groups formed the last time Obama ran for president.
Ryan says where some see a symbol of hate in the Confederate Flag, he sees history.
"It's very, very likely my family fought in the Confederate Army," Ryan said.
"When I grew up in Plant City, Florida, they were still fighting the Civil War," Tony added.
It shouldn't be surprising to hear Ryan and his Uncle Tony to talk about southern heritage. After all, they live in Lee County, Florida - place named after confederate general Robert E. Lee.
When Lee County democrats opened up their new headquarters on Saturday, Ryan brought his own decoration - America's first black president conjoined with the Confederacy.
Moments later party leaders asked Ryan to take it down.
"If somebody is offended by it, I can understand it because they're only seeing one half of the flag," Tony said.
James Muwakkil, President of Lee County's NAACP, says he doesn't mind the Confederate Flag next to President Obama.
"Not if the intention is positive," he said. "For us to be here in the Deep South, and to see whites embracing an African-American man - we love it."
"The reason for the group is to prove not all southerners are racist," Ryan explained.
Lee County democratic leaders canceled our interview for Thursday.
We reached out to the Obama campaign to find out if they endorse Rednecks for Obama. They welcome the support, but did not want to comment on whether they support the use of the Confederate Flag next to the president.