A photo of a black police officer helping a white neo-Nazi out of the scorching South Carolina sun went viral over the weekend.
The image was taken Saturday on the steps of the South Carolina statehouse, where white supremacists clashed with demonstrators from the Florida-based Black Educators for Justice.
The groups’ twin rallies, which drew some 2,000 attendees collectively, spoke to the raw racial tensions recently reignited by the South Carolina legislature’s decision to remove a Confederate flag from the statehouse grounds. This photo, at least, provided a testament to their shared humanity.
In the image, an unidentified older man wore a T-shirt representing the National Socialist Movement, which the Southern Poverty Law Center has called “the largest and most prominent neo-Nazi group in the United States.” The shirt was emblazoned with a swastika and the letters N.S.M. Officer Leroy Smith holds the man’s arm to support him as he helps him out of the heat.
Over the course of the sweltering July day, 23 people required medical attention, many for heat exhaustion, according to the Associated Press. Five were arrested.
The photo was shot by Rob Godfrey, the deputy chief of staff to South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R). As of Monday afternoon, it had been retweeted almost 5,100 times since Godfrey posted it to his personal Twitter account on Saturday.
not an uncommon example of humanity in SC: Leroy Smith helps white supremacist to shelter & water as heat bears down. pic.twitter.com/GoF23r3mRe
— Rob Godfrey (@RobGodfrey) July 18, 2015
You’re a better human than most of us, Officer Smith.
There were a total of 28 supporters of the Confederate Flag, most of them Neo-Nazis and their appearance was something right out of central-casting for dumb-fuck rednecks.
Skinny, tattooed, missing teeth, scraggly beards, and falling-down pants (think METH-HEAD CENTRAL) mingled with old, fat, white guys and gals wheezing in the heat and humidity (think ex-KKK members who should not have left the oxygen tank back at the senior-center.)
Surrounding them were 200 police, and about 2000 counter-demonstrators.
Sounds about right.
I said it yesterday and I’ll state it again: Mr. Godfrey, you should copyright (or trademark, whatever applies to photos one has taken). Make posters, frame some, etc. Caption: “This is what real civil servants do.”
Thank you, Officer Leroy Smith, for being you.
Underpaid, overworked people of color quietly help old White haters every day, all across this country.
Among other things, they feed them, bathe them, and empty their bedpans.
Sadly, most get anonymity and a sub-living wage in return.
It’s one of America most enduring traditions.
Absolutely true. But this is a pleasant exception—the officer happens to be the state director of public safety. Number one cop in South Carolina as far as I can see. Got there in part by being a professional and a peace officer to the bone, I’m sure, and I’m willing to bet one more thing: He’d tell you he was just doing his job, and he’d mean it. I’m no police booster, but there are good cops out there.
ETA: Here’s a press release from Smith’s office. Class act.