Racist Attitudes: Still Alive and Well in the South
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Racial Intolerance=Stupidity
Not ignorance, stupidity. I live in the Southern United States. I was born in Canada, a fairly liberal country. Canada calls itself multicultural, multilingual, and boasts the highest per capita immigration rate in the world. Accusing someone of racism in Canada would be a serious disparagement. Seriously, I would take that as a big insult.
I found some local stories (Mississippi and surrounding states). I suggest looking at the stories first.
Local Stories
I was perusing the local news when I found this: Louisiana; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/15/interracial-couple-denied_n_322784.html
This article really made my blood boil. This man actually defends his explanation of why he refused to marry the individuals stated in the article. How in the world did this guy get elected into public office? If you read the article you will find that his excuse is that he is worried about the struggles children of interracial couples will face. What is he worried about? His parents weren't interracial and look how he turned out.
Here is a very disturbing story. This place isn't far from where I live. The local news aired this story:
Mississippi; http://www.wdam.com/global/story.asp?s=11332821
Are you speechless? Almost surreal isn't it? I had no idea that they still did this stuff. Especially in a predominantly black state. This could have gotten ugly.
Prejudices and Preconcieved Notions
Mississippi is a beautiful state. I know many intelligent, and spiritually gifted people. What a shame that these hateful people grabbed the headlines instead of someone or something positive or inspirational. The media gave these haters exactly what they wanted; headlines, and attention. What do you think people are going to remember when they see clips like this coming out of Mississippi? This gives everyone preconceived notions about Mississippians. How can we combat prejudice and racism when the media bombards us with these images. I know that news reporting can't be all roses and sunshine, not in the real world anyway. Prejudices based on preconceived adverse judgements put people at great disadvantages.
I know we are all guilty of preconceived notions. When we go on a trip abroad aren't we filled with preconceived notions of what we are going to see on our travels? In that case not a bad thing. When you think of a Canadian what do you think? Any notions of what a Canadian is like? When you think of Mississippi what do you think? I had no idea there was a state named Mississippi; I thought it was just the name of the river. Which was kind of ignorant, I think.
I am going to surmise that pre-conceived notions can be beneficial or harmful. Prejudices are biased preconceived notions that can be harmful. Nothing will stop these crazy hate mongers if we keep giving them their due. I used these news articles as examples. Am I guilty of spreading their hate too? As a caucasian female I have not been openly discriminated against nor a victim of hate. As a human being I have the ability to empathize, and speak up for myself and others. Use your voice for difference.
Read Shalini Kagal's, More Than One Story
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Comments
Thanks Mr Deeds, I was a little nervous about this one. -Tammy
Awesome hub...love your moxi. As a 50 + black woman I find your hub a breath of fresh air. It good to know all of us do not have our heads in the sand or stuck up our collective you know whats!!! Keep the Hubs coming.
Tammy - great hub and thanks so much for the link! Maybe prejudices aren't confined to one area or race. It exists in different degrees all over. That's the tragedy - that we tend to look for the differences rather than what is common!
Great hub and being from Canada the first time I worked in the south I could not beleive the segregation that took place in the logging camp I was stationed at.
The white people had a fancy trailer as a coffee lunch place and the blacks were outside by the fire, hard to beleive. I was told not to say a word to them.
The following morning I stopped and ordered 22 bacon/Biscuits and passed then out to the boys by the fire. I would not be told who I could or could not talk to. It is wrong, wrong wrong. We are all children of the Father and that makes us brothers and sisters no matter where you are from. Great hub
Blessings
Very well done.
This topic is one that can really set me off. I would like to see the word "race" banned from use when applied to people of different nationalities or ethnic groups.
It has long been firmly established scientifically that there is only one race of humans extant on Earth. Homo sapiens is a single species that is NOT divided into sub-species or different "races".
Every human that has ever lived and all who are now living are descended from the same parents. It doesn't matter whether you believe they were adam and eve or early hominids in prehistoric africa. What matters is that we are ALL one family and Earth is the only home we have. If we don't learn to share it equitably, we will all soon be evicted, permanently.
This is good work Tammy. Keep it up.
pmccray-Shalini-Quill-ColdWarBaby-.......Wow! thanks for the responses I would have written this one a long time ago, it took me a long time to edit to get it just right. This is a topic that is very important to me. It's the ignorant unsubstantiated facts that these people seem to hold on to that make it so difficult. No one should have to put up with racist attitudes anywhere period.
Loved this one Tammy, being from Belfast and growing up through the Troubles I know all about bigotry. Loved the video at the end, sometimes a really good video speaks volumes, that one did !
HT thankyou my friend- :-D Tammy
All these are true. Some consultants came here in our place and look down on us feeling all high and mighty... AS much I'd like to welcome them... they take our kindness and hospitality as weakness. When you push back they see it is harassment. It sure takes too much energy to ignore this. What a messed up world we live in. Still too much to learn.
So right Needful, it is tiresome to ignore these things. And really difficult to speak out about these things too. Thanks for reading my story.
Tammy - It has been my own experience over too many years that intolerance knows no geographic boundaries. I encountered more prejudice in New York State than I have in other places, north or south. That said, when first I landed in Texas back in 1952, there was "official" discrimination that bothered most of us - it is "no more" and has been gone for many, many years. Also, that guy in Louisiana who refused to marry the interracial couple told them that although "he" would not marry them, he had no objection to someone else doing so. It was personal with him evidently, but not an intolerance to the ways of the modern world. (What he had to say is more important than what others said about him.) Gus
Gus, I agree. Intolerance is everywhere, I encounter it often. I encountered it in Canada, Europe, and United States. The Justice voiced his opinion and he is indeed entitled to it that is freedom. I did not grow up in a Country or time that ever practiced "official" discrimination, nor have I ever been discriminated against (not openly that I know of). This is a very touchy difficult subject and I was really nervous about posting this. If you have any suggestions how I could improve this then please let me know.
I find this hard to believe, but I agree with Cold War Baby. I wish the government, colleges and race agitators who play identity politics would stop with the racial categories. When I think of Canadians, I think of very nice people. I've never met a Canadian who wasn't cool. Thank you for a fine article.
Thanks James, I value your opinion. :-D Tammy
Hi Tammy- I would never want to make suggestions as to improvement of an article that was as good as this one. It was well written. That is not to say that I agree with all it had to say, but then, I am known to be most disagreeable at times. :-)))
Gus, so I have learned from you gosh dern southern Gents. thanks for the complements it means a lot coming from you. Seriously, :-D
Stranger things have happened James. I, for one, find the discovery of any common ground a reason to celebrate. People who disagree should be able to do so and leave it at that. No reason to go to war over it. There is commonality among us all. We are all members of the same family, sharing the same home. There should be no reason for our differences to prevent us from doing so in Peace, cooperation, equality and equanimity.
My neighbor may believe in god whilst I do not. We may debate or even argue about it. However, if my neighbor should need help replacing the shingles on his roof, I will help him without hesitation. If he comes to me in need, I will do what I can.
ColdWarBaby, glad that this article could be a subject that you and James could find common ground upon.
I work in a profession where disagreements and differences have to be left at the door. No matter who you are; if you are my patient differences must always be put aside in order for me to help you and for you to help yourself. There is no room for prejudices and racism in my line of work. I cannot be blinded by hatred and false beliefs and be able to help someone. Everyone has a story.
Tammy, I read this, the articles you posted and watched the video. Every time I hear about this type of bigotry, and see the end result of decisions made strictly for political reasons or advancement, my stomach churns, my head hurts and my heart bleeds. How can any of this be justified?
Great article
Hi Duchess, It isn't justifiable...just an accepted practice. Like i mentioned in the article; these guys make good stories and they get attention which is exactly what they want.
Racism is alive and well here in GA, although it's much better than it used to be. Strangely, there seems to be more intolerance here of Mexicans. They're often looked down on by both blacks and whites. Is it the same in MS? I've never understood how you can hate a person for the color of his skin, his religion, his beliefs - before getting to know him. Great hub!
Habee, unfortunatley there is intolerance of just about every kind just about everywhere I go. I will never understand this either. You don't have to agree with everyone but to hate is not right.
I totally agree, Tammy!
Tammy I just joined your fan club. Your article hits the spot, the one in my heart. I was born in Mississippi but moved to Texas after marrying a hispanic. He is the most wonderful man imaginable but I was disowned by the majority of my family. Harrassed by the general population of MS I took my beautiful mixed children and moved to Texas where I have remained for 38 years. On a recent visit home due to my fathers death I have learned that not much has changed over the past 35 years in my home state. I am still called mexican-lover, asked if white men aren't good enough for me.
Basically as you say in the article "plain stupidity".
Christalluna1124, I am sorry you had such a bad experience. Sheer stupidity abounds and not isolated to Mississippi. I have a very dear friend who also has moved out of state and wouldn't even tell anyone that she was in an interracial relationship for fear of what you have described. Sad for Mississippi as she is one of the best nurses that I ever worked with. Thanks for adding your comment. greatly appreciated and I have joined you as a fan also.
Tammy, Thanks for adding me to your fan club. I have managed to overcome alot of the "stupidity" by being a very outspoken activist against racisim. I am also a mental health advocate and have worked in the criminal justice system, courts and corrections for 25 years. My articles are sometimes controversial (ex: death penalty) but I hope to make a difference. I am new to this any tips you have would be appreciated. I have been disabled for 10 years now and my passion has become writing on things I care about. Looking forward to your next post.
Warmest regards, Christal
Christa, no problem...I am new to hubpages too so my only advice is to read other hubs, there are lots of experts here and they offer great advice in their hubs, try http://hubpages.com/profile/livewithrichard he has a lot of helpful hints.
Very strong and meaningful hub. I've had to fight racism all my life and felt that one day it would be conquered, but now in my twilight years I doubt it. I think it's a mistake to think that lack of knowledge of other races is the problem. We are unidated with educational venues literally at our finger tips and still the KKK, White Supremist, White Nazi and a host of hate orgainizations still exist. The problem lies in lack of self esteem and quite possibly generational mental illness. If every ethnicity and minority were wiped off the face of the earth tomorrow those that hate would turn on each other to fill their need and hunger of hate. And yes it's not just prevelent in the south is worldwide ... believe me.
pmccray, racism is everywhere. I have a big problem with it when it spills into the government, whom are supposed to be the leaders of the country and setting examples. Also when the headline in the media or the local news is about a racial hate group. These people do not deserve media, or any type of attention at all.
Thank you for reading, and commenting on my story!
Ralph Deeds says:
5 weeks ago
Great Hub! Keep 'em coming. There is plenty of prejudice in the North as well. (I grew up in Louisiana and now live in Michigan.)