Church Burnings

[*Wyche'sWarrior*]

(07-02-2015, 07:12 AM)Bilbo Saggins Wrote: As someone who's lived in the rural north, the "mid-south", and had experiences in cities all over the place I cant help but feel that Ive experienced a palpable difference between race relations in different areas. Race relations aren't always so good in the North-I've heard of and even seen firsthand some really vile instances of racism up here-but it seems to be more repressed than in the south. A northern racist might have the same views as a southern one but is less likely to express them or do anything about it-it seemed to be "safer" or more mainstream in southern areas. For instance, there was a fellow who I used to work with around the Louisville area. He was black and seemed to genuinely get the short end of the stick at work more so than his white counterparts(I've seen this in the North as well but it was more hidden). He told me once that a group of his friends were outright barred from walking into a nightlife area by police-no reason was given. I'm about 99% that that wouldn't fly where I'm from-even in some of the really white trash type of bars. I can't think of any more examples at the moment but I couldn't help but sense that in the south black/white relations were different for the worse. I hope that I didn't offend anyone with this and think that it's a shame that all southerners have to deal with the stereotypes...but there does seem to be a difference.

I live geographically in the middle, a border state, so we don't have the same issues, I guess.....or at least where I live.  I've seen it all over, if you look at the bigger picture.  It may be understated, as you say, but when you see the corralling of minorities in the large Northern cities, you kinda have to wonder.....is it really understated?  That was the gist of Randy Newman's song, and it really has a point with the lines "gathering them up, from miles around", and "free to be put in a cage in Harlem in New York City, free to be put in a cage in the southside in Chicago and the west side.....".......but southerners are just "dumb rednecks" who they think can't see what's really going on.

Then I see all.kinds of races joining in prayer, tribute, and vigils in Charleston instead of rioting, and I really have to wonder.......then again, in some parts of the South in my travels, I have heard some seriously offensive shit. Point is, this ain't the 1960s anymore, and the doofus in.Charleston is more an isolated event than the norm.