Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
The following members of the Charleston Rifle Club hereby sign this petition to condemn the rejection of an African American for membership.
It is beyond dispute that the applicant fulfilled the requirements of the clubs bylaws for membership. (Article V Section 1. - male, American citizen, 21 years of age or older, and of good moral character). As a US Naval Academy graduate and retired veteran naval physician, his patriotism and good moral character were never questioned or impugned by anyone during the nominating process. There was no challenge to his qualifications. Instead, his application for membership was denied based on the color of his skin. No other reason has been given and no other reason makes sense.
As a private club, the Charleston Rifle Club can choose to exclude people based on their race, but the vast majority of the Charleston Rifle Club’s members find that to be an abhorrent and immoral choice and inconsistent with what we believe the club is.
Furthermore, we believe that this action is supported by a tiny fraction of the club's membership. The current system allows for this small group to control the membership process. Six members, out of more than 800, can alone choose to exclude a prospective member. This minority, against the will of the majority, has chosen to make the club a race-based organization. This threatens the reputation of the club and the reputation of its members. It also jeopardizes the club's affiliations with countless outside organizations with which the club has for years endeavored to assist in social and charitable efforts.
We, the undersigned, hereby demand that the Club leadership immediately and publicly condemn this practice, and actively seek to right this wrong
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Updates
November 29, 2018
I never imagined this would grow into such a public conversation because I only intended to speak up for a fellow member. The notes I am receiving from you remind me that so many of us want this place to reflect our actual values rather than the bias of a few.
November 29, 2018
I am honestly overwhelmed by the response this has received and I truly never imagined so many people would speak up. The momentum here belongs entirely to all of you who refuse to stay quiet about what is happening. Your willingness to stand for what is right is what keeps this moving forward.
Reached 100 supporters
November 29, 2018
52 Comments
I, from far-north Idaho, condemn the rejection of an African American for membership. It is an abhorrent and immoral choice. USMC 1974-78 E-5
It's unbelievable that the most qualified candidate we've ever had brought before us was denied membership because of the color of his skin. I am so ashamed!
I resigned as CRC Chaplain and did not renew my membership over this blatant racist act. I can see the economic toll this is already having on the CRC. I wonder how many blackballs were in the box?
It makes no sense to me that a Naval Officer would be denied entry to our club. We are a group comprised of many, many veterans. Any man willing to stand on the wall is a man worthy of membership. I do not believe any applicant should be granted membership, but we're speaking of an exceptional man by any standards.
I am in full support. Mr. Brown meets all the qualifications. He is a good man and we should be honored he wants to become a member. The real issue remains. The current “black ball” system that allows just six people to control membership acceptance is unjust. The board of directors needs to readdress this issue and move to correct this flaw in our membership process.
Canceled my membership the day I heard about my friend being denied membership
Unbelievable !
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
The following members of the Charleston Rifle Club hereby sign this petition to condemn the rejection of an African American for membership.
It is beyond dispute that the applicant fulfilled the requirements of the clubs bylaws for membership. (Article V Section 1. - male, American citizen, 21 years of age or older, and of good moral character). As a US Naval Academy graduate and retired veteran naval physician, his patriotism and good moral character were never questioned or impugned by anyone during the nominating process. There was no challenge to his qualifications. Instead, his application for membership was denied based on the color of his skin. No other reason has been given and no other reason makes sense.
As a private club, the Charleston Rifle Club can choose to exclude people based on their race, but the vast majority of the Charleston Rifle Club’s members find that to be an abhorrent and immoral choice and inconsistent with what we believe the club is.
Furthermore, we believe that this action is supported by a tiny fraction of the club's membership. The current system allows for this small group to control the membership process. Six members, out of more than 800, can alone choose to exclude a prospective member. This minority, against the will of the majority, has chosen to make the club a race-based organization. This threatens the reputation of the club and the reputation of its members. It also jeopardizes the club's affiliations with countless outside organizations with which the club has for years endeavored to assist in social and charitable efforts.
We, the undersigned, hereby demand that the Club leadership immediately and publicly condemn this practice, and actively seek to right this wrong
Updates
November 29, 2018
I never imagined this would grow into such a public conversation because I only intended to speak up for a fellow member. The notes I am receiving from you remind me that so many of us want this place to reflect our actual values rather than the bias of a few.
November 29, 2018
I am honestly overwhelmed by the response this has received and I truly never imagined so many people would speak up. The momentum here belongs entirely to all of you who refuse to stay quiet about what is happening. Your willingness to stand for what is right is what keeps this moving forward.
Reached 100 supporters
November 29, 2018
52 Comments
If this isn’t rectified I will resign my membership. Remove the anonymity of the blackball process and let those who oppose Dr. Brown have the courage to give the reason and sign their name.
I, from far-north Idaho, condemn the rejection of an African American for membership. It is an abhorrent and immoral choice. USMC 1974-78 E-5
It's unbelievable that the most qualified candidate we've ever had brought before us was denied membership because of the color of his skin. I am so ashamed!
I resigned as CRC Chaplain and did not renew my membership over this blatant racist act. I can see the economic toll this is already having on the CRC. I wonder how many blackballs were in the box?
It makes no sense to me that a Naval Officer would be denied entry to our club. We are a group comprised of many, many veterans. Any man willing to stand on the wall is a man worthy of membership. I do not believe any applicant should be granted membership, but we're speaking of an exceptional man by any standards.
I am in full support. Mr. Brown meets all the qualifications. He is a good man and we should be honored he wants to become a member. The real issue remains. The current “black ball” system that allows just six people to control membership acceptance is unjust. The board of directors needs to readdress this issue and move to correct this flaw in our membership process.
Canceled my membership the day I heard about my friend being denied membership
Unbelievable !
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If this isn’t rectified I will resign my membership. Remove the anonymity of the blackball process and let those who oppose Dr. Brown have the courage to give the reason and sign their name.