Wow, Geez how in the hell did this go on for so many years?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18034102/?GT1=9246

Are we moving forward by choice or because the law says we have to?

Squeak, sadly, racism is still a major world-wide problem. I've been taking a musician friend of mine to two or three medical/theraphy appointments a week for almost three years. His condition continues to get worse, to the point where he can't stand or walk. He has a defibrilator, lupus, diabetes, crippling arthritis and more problems. He is over 400 lbs and requires a lift to get him out of bed and into a wheel chair.

The other day, a friend/client was riding with me when I needed to transport him from the ambulance to his bed. The guy was shocked that I hadn't mentioned my friend was black, and wondered why I bothered.

I was raised an Army brat. Because people made the same money, went to the same schools, etc., things were relatively calm in the 50's and 60's on base. In town, it was a different matter. In Mississippi, we lived off base. I saw white kids jump out of a window at school and beat the hell out of an older lady and two little kids. Black people really were forced to sit in the back of the bus, behind the back door. If only black people were at the bus stop, the bus driver didn't stop. While in Mississippi, a young black man was killed and his genitals nailed to a court house door because he was accused of flirting with a white girl.

Early on in the music business, I was denied work when I worked with black players.

It's less out in the open, but racism is still there.


How sad!


Russ

Russ,
I totally agree man. It's not as "in your face" as it used to be, but man it's "obviously" there. With all the real problems we have in this country it's amazing this is still an issue in places.

I deal with it every day. I'm bi-racial. African-American, and White. I deal with racism from white and black. I went to a private Catholic school as a child as well. I can tell you that the entire 8 years I was enrolled in that school there were only 3 children who were African American, and this is out of hundreds of children. Those three kids were from MY family

We delt with it all. Parents pulled children from the school once they found out we were enrolled. Children flat out told me they weren't allowed to play with me. Two of the nuns were suspended for making racial slurs towards us (parents had to threaten a lawsuit for that to happen). When ever an issue of theft surfaced, I was one of the first called to the office. It was just nuts. Can't tell you the number of kids I beat the hell out of in school over issues of race. Children would pick fights with me, call me the "N" word, I'd ignore them, they'd put their hands on me, I'd pound the livin shit out of them, and I was the one who got detention........

What always made me laugh so hard were the parents who always said, "what we're not racist.., God teaches us to love and accept everyone". They all said this until I dated their daughter..., then it was a whole different story

I honestly see NO difference in today's society on race as it was when I was a child. It's still IMO as strong as it was then, just not as talked about in the open anymore.

Squeak

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 04-11-2007).]

Laws don't necessarily change people's mentality and attitude although that's what lawmakers want us to believe. Once the law's been set in motion they think they've done their job. Also keep in mind that no one is born a racist. All one needs is to be unfortunate to be born to the wrong kind of parents or ending up with the wrong crowd.