Great post. I would argue that you did, in fact, suffer for the racism you grew up surrounded by, as all of us did. I am white but got both barrels for being decidedly colorblind in forced bussing Boston. White kids AND black kids wanted to beat my ass.
What a day, and like you I never dreamed I would see it. I am thrilled at the possibilities this presents and am hopeful in a way I vaguely remember from many years ago before the realities intervened. Lets see whats next.
man you know how to word things it is hard to belive that these things existed not so long ago. I consantly battle racist points of veiw at work and in every day life and I completely understand what you mean when you right defending yourself for taking this stance when you are white. once again you word things so much better than i can and that doesn't help my case, wonderful blog.
The mistake most people make is that racism is a "Southern" thing....blacks and latinos still face this everyday even in liberal New York.....a month ago in Niagara Falls, some cracker hung a whites only sign on a waterfountain.....and the beat goes on. Congratulations to Barack Obama and to the voters of the great USA for having the wisdom to choose based on character and not stereotypes!
Yesterday America grew up a little bit, but we still have a long
ways to go: when anybodys Race or Gender is Not a note
worthy comment on who they are or what they are going to do.
When we stop looking for means to differrencate oursevles and can Focus
on a persons Ideas then we will have Grown Up.
I am really glad Obama won the election, he was the right choice, Obama has given people hope and people believe he can bring about the change America need. Unfortunately he is coming in to a very bad situation and it looks like things are going to get worse before they get better. I hope people can keep their faith in him when things do get worse.
No worries. I'm not sporting for it and I'm sure you can take very good care of yourself. Its just one of my flaws/qualities that I look after my friends and knock to pee out of anyone who tries to hurt them.
To be 100% truthful, I kinda like knocking the snot out of A-holes. Really.
Well said. I too grew up in the racist south. I was born after segregation and am too young to remember the civil rights movement, but I definatley experienced racism as a child. My family is from a very small very southern town. I would have never predicted that America would ever have a black president. I don't think it was possilbe 20 years ago, no matter the candidates or the issues were. I know that we still have a lot of racism and hatred left to deal with, and art of me is afraid this whole thing could backfire.
As of right now, I am overjoyed that we voted in opposition the the bullshit if the last 8 years and for a man with dignity.
Reading your comment reminded me of something i was told
way back in the '80's when I was a carpenter. One day there
was a discussion going on and after I'd said something one
guy says to me: " You don't say a fuck of alot, but when you
do it's worth hearing."
Worked some really wacked hours this week, hope to be more
alert to play Fri Eve.
Just wanted to come by and give you a cyber-hug. I don't think your question in Geezers was out of line and I was astonished by the vitriol in the responses... on both sides of the fence... and the melee that then ensued. Very disappointing. But then I usually expect people to make an attempt to do and say the right thing. Ha. More fool me. And I'm not saying I expect them to agree with me-- I welcome a difference of opinion if we can learn something from it or at least learn to live and let live.
Here in California gays have lost the right to marry by only 2%. It is mind blowing to me that we can be progressive as a country to elect a Black man as President. But move backwards in my state. I honestly don't understand how people can justify discrimination and elitism based on their "faith" or 'religion."
What a day, and like you I never dreamed I would see it. I am thrilled at the possibilities this presents and am hopeful in a way I vaguely remember from many years ago before the realities intervened. Lets see whats next.