I know we all like to pretend that racism doesn't exist...at least some of us do. But I have to believe that most every white person in this country has been exposed to lots and lots of racism when the black folks aren't around.
Then, later on, we like to say that there are only a "few bad apples."
Well, there are a whole lot more than a few. There are millions and their hatred for other races and religions defies the very truths that we hold self evident-- that ALL MEN are created equal.
A couple of nights ago, I watched a documentary called Prom in Mississippi.
From National Public Radio:
Mississippi integrated its public schools in 1970, but segregation still haunts parts of the culture. One example of this could be found at Charleston High School. The Delta town had maintained a system of separate proms — organized privately — for black and white students.
Hmmmm...
I guess Brown V. Board of Education doesn't apply to after-school functions, so they've managed to isolate the black students up until...2008?
Fifty-four bloody years after schools became integrated?!? Are you kidding me?
So much for all men are created equal. Not in Charleston they aren't. And not in hundreds of other communities across the country. Someday I'll write about my experiences with hatred in a couple of places I've lived, places kind of notorious for racial problems.
Being treated like a second-class citizen damages your psyche. Being told that you aren't good enough to hang out with the white kids at the prom hurts your self-esteem. You might not have the same bright outlook as the white kids. Or, you'll work twice as hard to prove yourself. It's fair to say it could go either way.
And then, when African-Americans in Mississippi don't do as well financially, we like to say that it's their fault and that they had the same opportunities as the white kids.
Bullcrap, says I.
And yes, some-- maybe even most-- of the black students will overcome and go on to work as doctors or lawyers, but some-- maybe only a few-- won't be that strong and will be affected enough by their life experiences in their formative years to screw up their very dreams.
And if they don't believe in the American Dream, being that they weren't allowed to socialize with whites and made to feel separate-- can we blame them? Come on now. The Supreme Court said, in 1954 mind you, that separate is not equal. Separate is not equal.
Not everyone is strong enough to tolerate being prejudiced against through their most sensitive years. It's going to hurt some more than others...
Anyway, some of the white parents became angry, so they held their own White Prom. The cowards wouldn't let the camera's in-- because racists love to deny being racist-- so we couldn't actually see the racist parents.
But some of the kids left after the parents repeatedly used the n-word when describing the other students.
Totally amazing. Charleston High School just came into the year 2009. But the parents? They'll be alive spreading their hatred for many more years to come. And what about the kids who attend the white prom and believe in their parent's hatred? What will become of them?
Well, they'll probably have kids themselves and teach them to hate also.
And I am sure there will be another White Prom next year. You can count on that.
;)
;)
Wow. Unbelievable that in this day and age, this is still happening. What a terrible shame. Awareness and education is the only way to fight this. Thank you for keeping us all informed.