Timeline: Livingston County's complicated history with race

LIVINGSTON COUNTY — Livingston County has never quite been able to shake the reputation of racism it earned on a Cohoctah farm in the 1970s.

On Saturday, July 20, two groups of white supremacists demonstrated in Howell, chanting “Heil Hitler," and "We love Hitler. We love Trump." They carried flags with antisemitic and racist messages. One group marched from the Historic Courthouse to the Howell Carnegie Library. The other stood on the overpass over I-96 at Latson Road.

It's the most recent in a steady stream of "incidents" that have taken place over the decades in Livingston County, and particularly Howell — despite the tireless efforts of leaders, representatives and locals to change the narrative.

Here's a timeline:

In the beginning - 1870s-1950s

In the 1940s and 1950s, Harry Carney Todd, 85, frequently visited family in Howell. He said his ancestors, the Childers and Todds, were some of the most prominent Black residents in the area.

Local historian Lindsay Root, who is white, said he's gathered evidence that Howell had a "thriving" Black community in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Root has a theory that Black families heard of Howell's positive reputation and moved in.

More: Howell once had a thriving Black community

Todd said there's a possible connection between the Childers family and Abraham Losford, an escaped slave and Howell's first Black resident, who established a barbershop.

Todd's great-great-grandparents, Eliza and Alex Childers, moved to Howell from Kentucky, where they had once been enslaved. Eliza Childers had at least 16 children, including Todd's great-grandmother, Esther Smithson, who she had from a previous relationship.

Several of Eliza's children went on to hold prominent roles in the city and state.

Robert Miles comes to town - 1960s-1992

Howell's complicated relationship with race starts with Robert Miles, once a Grand Dragon of the Michigan Ku Klux Klan. Miles was in his 30s when he settled on a 70-acre farm in Cohoctah Township.

According to the Lansing State Journal, Miles was attention-seeking and had a violent reputation. He was among five people convicted in 1971 of planning the bombing of school buses slated for court-ordered desegregation in Pontiac. A few years later, he was convicted on a conspiracy charge related to the tarring and feathering of Dr. R. Wiley Brownlee, a high school principal in Ypsilanti who supported desegregation.

Dr. Robert Green, a former Michigan State University professor who grew up in Detroit, was one of the first Black people to purchase property in East Lansing in the 1960s, according to LSJ. His first introduction to the existence of the Klan in Michigan was when other Black residents urged him to avoid Howell.

“That’s Klan country,” he remembers being told.

Miles died in 1992 at age 67 — but after years of rallies and demonstrations at his farm, the damage was done.

Livingston 2001 formed in response to cross burning - 1988

In September 1988, a six-foot wooden cross was burned on the lawn of a retired Black couple in Howell. The FBI was contacted, but stumped.

"Henry Griffin and his wife, Shirley, who have lived on Chilson Road for the last four years, say friends and neighbors have been extremely supportive and outraged by the racist act, which is historically a trademark of the Ku Klux Klan as a warning to Blacks to leave town or fear for their lives," The Livingston Daily wrote after the crime.

"I'm not aware of it," Miles told the paper. "I haven't seen or heard anything about it ... I hadn't seen anything like that in the area lately."

Shirley, who grew up in Howell and attended Howell High School, said the incident was embarrassing because she had friends coming from Detroit and "this is the kind of treatment I'm exposed to and (they might wonder why) you stay ... and of course, that's not the way the town is."

About a week after the burning, three young men, all from Howell, were arrested. One of the men told a detective the burning was retaliation because he was "robbed by some Black men in Detroit." All three were charged with harassment by incendiary device, a four-year felony, but two were later indicted on federal charges instead, with penalties up to 10 years in prison.

In response, Livingston 2001 formed with the goal of educating the county's children and promoting diversity. It was so named because 2001 is when students who'd been kindergarteners at the time of the cross burning would graduate.

KKK holds rally in Howell - 1994

Two KKK rallies were held in Michigan in October 1994: in Howell and Lansing. The rally in Howell was held on the steps of the historic courthouse, given a green light by an appeals court despite community pushback. In response, the city erected an eight-foot chain link fence to contain protestors and observers, according to reporting from former LCP editor Maria Stuart in The Livingston Post.

The night before the rally, there was a candlelight vigil with food and music. The day after, once the fence had been removed, residents gathered with brooms and mops and a symbolic cleaning of the courthouse steps (an effort later duplicated by demonstrators outside the Howell Opera House in February 2024).

According to Stuart, after a "Just Stay Away" campaign meant to starve the KKK of the attention it craved, less than a dozen members showed up.

Livingston 2001 becomes the Livingston Diversity Council - 2001

Livingston 2001 changed its name to the Livingston County Diversity Council and expanded its mission to upholding "... the right to be judged, rewarded and held accountable on the basis of individual action, regardless of race, creed, disability, gender or sexual orientation."

Auction house opens bidding on KKK paraphernalia - January 2005

Ole Gray Nash Auction House in Howell drew criticism after auctioning Ku Klux Klan paraphernalia, including a knife, sweatshirt, seven robes, buttons, books, movies and a lantern.

About three dozen protesters gathered outside, holding signs that read: "Hate has no home here." Some of them attempted to enter the auction house, chanting: "No Nazis. No KKK." The auction was originally scheduled for Jan. 15, but was rescheduled after auctioneer Gary Gray realized that was Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday.

Teacher suspended for ejecting student over 'anti-gay' comment - October 2010

Howell High School economics teacher Jay McDowell was suspended without pay after removing a student from the classroom when the student expressed that he didn’t "accept gay people," according to reporting from the Associated Press.

The incident began when McDowell asked another student to remove a belt buckle that featured the Confederate Flag. When she complied, another student asked how the Confederate Flag differs from the Pride Flag.

"And he said, 'Why? I don't accept gays. It's against my religion.' I reiterated that it's not appropriate to say something like that in class," McDowell told the AP.

McDowell was reprimanded by the district, which said his actions violated the students' free speech rights and school policy. The district also claimed he "purposefully initiated a controversial issue" by wearing a t-shirt with an anti-LGBTQ+ bullying message.

McDowell filed a complaint against the district over the discipline he received.

"I want to force adults to look at what situation we've created," he said. "I would really like us to be more aggressive in our policing of harassing and bullying."

Howell High School takes 'corrective action' over racist tweets - March 2014

Racist tweets from Howell High School students after the district's basketball team — comprising of all white players — beat Grand Blanc's mixed-race team, drew the ire of other students and the community in 2014.

The tweets referenced "white power" and hashtags like #HitlerIsMyDad. One student, seeming to reflect on the experience at the game, tweeted: "Tonight was probably one of the most racist nights of my life. I heard so many slurs and expressions. I also said a few things ..."

A player from Grand Blanc told MLive he heard racial slurs coming from the student section.

The tweets were brought to the school’s attention. Thomas Gould, director of public relations for the district, told MLive that Principal Jason Schrock spoke to the students and their parents. He also said corrective action was taken.

Gould told MLive students were aware of the town’s racist history, but said the tweets were from a few students and not representative of the school or Howell.

"It's a part of our past. It's known. People know what went on," he said. "It's an incorrect reputation. That's not the Howell of today. That's not the Livingston County of today."

Hartland school bus driver investigated for racial slur - September 2017

When a video of a Black woman screaming profanities in a restaurant went viral, a Hartland Schools substitute bus driver named Sharen Kimberly left a comment, “That’s a (racial slur).”

Another social media user forwarded the comment to her employer, the Livingston Educational Service Agency. Kimberly said: “I made a comment on Facebook, just like everyone else does. There were over 300 comments and he targeted me because he had nothing better to do with his day.”

Kimberly told the Daily she would make the same comment on a video of anyone acting that way.

Other posts on her social media page included a meme that read “I’m proud to be white. I bet no one passes this on because they are scared of be (sic) called a racist.”

Kimberly kept her job. Disciplinary measures included a written reprimand in her file; an unpaid, two week suspension; racial sensitivity training and retraining on board policies. She was also required to remove the offending posts.

“Our substitute bus driver openly acknowledges that her actions were wrong and accepts full responsibility,” wrote LESA Superintendent Mike Hubert in an email. “As she reflected on the nature and content of the posts, it was clear that our substitute bus driver is very sorry for her actions and does not want to be characterized by the remarks she posted. She acknowledged she was experiencing significant personal stress at the time of the posts and believes that contributed to her poor judgment.”

Howell officials condemn racist fliers - January 2018

Drivers in downtown Howell found fliers placed on vehicles reading “PATRIOTS! Your ancestors did not die fighting for generations to conquer and sustain this nation, only for it to be lost now, subverted and usurped by a rootless, global elite. Be among those who will reconquer their birthright, and forge a new America.” It was January 2018.

The fliers credited the Patriot Front Group and directed readers to bloodandsoil.org. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Patriot Front is a white nationalist hate group that broke off from Vanguard America after the “Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017.

The fliers were placed during a fundraising event at the Historic Howell Theater. The city of Howell, the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Development Authority jointly condemned the fliers and the organization behind them.

“Hate, such as that expressed by Patriot Front, has no home here,” said Chamber President Pat Convery. “The chamber and this community have worked together for years to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all who want to live, work or visit. These fliers that are not from our community are reprehensible but also remind us that there is still work to do in this country.”

Anti-semitic graffiti found on multiple businesses in Livingston County - 2020

Anti-semitic graffiti was spray painted on a real estate sign and multiple local businesses in 2020, including Uptown Coffeehouse and the Livingston Daily Press and Argus.

A swastika was painted in orange spray paint on a sign advertising vacant land at 3224 E. Grand River Ave. in Genoa Township. Another swastika was found on the side of Home Depot at 3330 E Grand River Ave.

Outside of Uptown Coffeehouse, the phrase “Jews did 9/11” was written in permanent ink. The same phrase was found on an entry gate to the parking lot of the paper’s former office at 323 E. Grand River Ave.

Church service interrupted with threats, slurs - February 2021

A minister from Brighton Township was delivering a sermon on civil rights over Zoom when the service was interrupted by disturbing messages.

"They began sharing images of the Ku Klux Klan," said Rev. Julie Brock of the Community Unitarian Universalists.

At least one racist image appeared on the screen, and Brock said she received rape and death threats via chat. A screenshot Brock shared with The Daily showed the messages also included racially derogatory words.

The church had racial justice signs outside and, while Brock said they had received threatening voice messages about them before, they weren’t as disturbing as the Zoom incident.

Hartland students and alumni hold rally against racism - March 2021

After a Black student at Hartland High School named Tatayana Vanderlaan posted on Facebook she was being harassed by other students because of her race, other students and alumni gathered to show their support.

In the post, Vanderlaan said she'd been called the n-word and was made fun of for her hair and appearance. In response, Hartland Consolidated Schools launched an investigation.

Those who gathered during a school board meeting demanded transparency during the investigation, an apology from school staff, assurances that students can report harassment and have it addressed immediately, and an explanation for how the district planned to handle future cases of harassment and promote diversity.

Four teens charged with racial harassment of Black student in Hartland - June 2021

On May 25, the Livingston County Prosecutor's Office filed stalking and assault charges against four students following the district's investigation into Tatayana Vanderlaan's allegations.

Three of the students were 17 and charged as adults. The fourth student was charged as a juvenile.

Brighton students use blackface, homophobia in video - June 2021

Officials at Brighton Area Schools condemned a video students made containing racist and homophobic content in June 2021, after another student brought the video to the district's attention.

Screenshots show a young, white man with his face painted black. One image showed him holding up his fist in a gesture from the Black Power Movement. Another image showed a homophobic slur painted on a young man's forehead.

BAS Superintendent Matthew Outlaw said the video was not made at school. In a statement, he said the district addressed the matter, but did not say whether disciplinary action had been taken.

Brighton home vandalized with 'KKK' graffiti - August 2021

A home in Green Oak Township was vandalized with the letters “KKK” and “QUE” on the siding and garage door after homeowner Renay Gedeon made comments about a canceled drag queen bingo event at Howell's Melon Fest.

More: Brighton-area home vandalized with 'KKK' graffiti after owner's comments on Melon Fest

The event was canceled over safety concerns for the performers. Gedeon worried the cancellation would negatively affect farmers participating in Melon Fest, particularly in the wake of COVID, and said so on WHMI.

"Our community got lost somewhere," Gedeon later told The Daily, adding she thought she caught the perpetrator in the act, since the letters "QUE" remained apparently unfinished on the side of the house.

Lawsuit alleges 'unchecked' racial harassment of Black student in Hartland - April 2023

Two years after posting about the racism she experienced at Hartland High School, Tatayana Vanderlaan filed a lawsuit against the district, Superintendent Chuck Hughes, Hartland High School Principal Kate Gregory and Vice Principal Emily Aluia, as well as three of the four boys who faced charges.

The federal lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Eastern District Court of Michigan in Detroit, alleged Vanderlaan was "exposed to an openly racist environment that, left unchecked, escalated into direct racial harassment and ultimately culminated in explicit threats of white supremacist violence, all of which was tacitly endorsed by teachers and by school and district leadership.”

Vanderlaan said in 2021, after her post went viral, she had to be escorted off campus due to a threat of being "lynched."

The lawsuit states Vanderlaan continued to face harassment through the end of her senior year, despite notifying officials multiple times. She said the harassment caused her to miss several weeks of school, which resulted in lower grades and negatively impacted her plans to attend college to be a nurse or physician.

The case is currently in discovery.

Slurs graffitied at Flex-Tech on the first day of school - August 2023

On the first day of the 2023-24 school year, students arrived at FlexTech High School in Brighton to find anti-semitic and anti-LGBTQ+ messages spray-painted on the school's parking lot.

Security cameras showed two people painting the messages around 3:30 a.m. and then burning a Pride Flag in the parking lot. The school immediately denounced the messages and encouraged anyone with information about the incident to reach out to the Livingston County Sheriff's Office.

Students responded by covering the graffiti with chalk messages like "End Inequality," "Love Pride," "LGBTQ = Love Yourself," "End Hatred, Love All Genders" and "Support Pride."

Grand New Party PAC Leader hosted at Howell Opera House - February 2024

The Livingston County Board of Commissioners and Livingston County Sheriff Mike Murphy received Tenth Amendment Awards from the Grand New Party PAC in February for their opposition to gun control policies signed into law in 2023.

According to its website, the GNPPAC describes itself as “the North Star for the America First Movement in Michigan, embarking upon an ambitious agenda guided by common sense principles rooted in fundamental truths.” The site also states the PAC is “working to renew the Republican Party from within.”

The executive director of the PAC is Shane Trejo, who in 2017 wrote a piece for The Liberty Conservative where he referred to white supremacists rallying in Charlottesville, Virginia, as “civil rights heroes.”

In response to his presence in Howell, local grassroots organization Stand Against Extremism organized a demonstration outside the Opera House, where they “washed away” white supremacy and hate. Another small group gathered outside the opera house on Feb. 19, when the PAC held the ceremony.

Lawsuit alleges unchecked racism in Pinckney Community Schools - July 2024

Several students in Pinckney recently filed a civil rights case against the district, alleging widespread racial discrimination.

According to the suit, Black students in Pinckney "have been called 'cotton picker,' 'monkey,' the 'N-word,' physically assaulted, racially profiled and threatened to be killed because of their skin color."

The suit alleges the district ignored the incidents, specifically naming Superintendent Rick Todd, Pathfinder School Principal Lori Sandula and former Navigator School Principal Janet McDole as defendants.

Defendants must file their answers to the suit by Aug. 29.

— Contact reporter Tess Ware and editor Cassandra Lybrink at newsroom@livingstondaily.com.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Timeline: Livingston County's complicated history with race