Racial tensions are flaring in Wisconsin again in the wake of media reporting of an allegation from a landowner who claims that a Hmong hunter pointed a gun at him. The police accepted the story and used dozens of officers to seize a Hmong man, Toua Lor, from his home Saturday night. A media circus is brewing as cameras and journalists surround the Hmong home in Appleton, trying to question family members. I just spoke with the wife of Toua Lor and learned that she is terrified for the safety of her family and that her children have been followed and harassed by the media.

According to the family, especially troubling were the actions of Fox 11 News and NBC TV who trespassed onto the property of Toua's family and refused to leave them alone after Toua's wife demanded that they leave. They rang the doorbell repeatedly, trying to get them to come out and say more. This was happening after sunset, around 8 pm, as I understand, causing one of the children to be seriously frightened by the threat of these disrespectful journalists. Shame on the media!

Those of us who know Toua Lor know that he has remarkable control over his temper, that he is a sweet and gentle man with great respect for other people who works and cooperates well with whites. The idea that he would endanger another human being for anything other than self-defense is beyond belief. The media continues to remind people about the tragedy of Chai Vang who killed some people last year, as if that has anything to do with this case. It does not.

The Post-Crescent's unfair spin on the story suggested that the allegations are factual, with no effort to convey Toua's side of the story or the possibility that a false accusation has been made.

I'm upset that this could happen here in Wisconsin, or anywhere.

Update: One the other hand, turning to the broader issue of hunting and property rights, there may be some legitimate concerns that landowners have about hunting near their property, or about trespassing property to get to hunting land. I think part of any healing process after this event must include some discussion of what should and should not be done when it comes to hunting and enforcing property rights. I've heard from several sources that there have been tensions between hunters and landowners in several areas across the state. If you have any good suggestions or resources on this topic, please let me know. I am not a hunter.