I don't think they're doing anything more than what we can usually expect from the media. They have to take the few bits and pieces of a potential story and hype it into a Pulitzer winning journalistic masterpiece. At first glance any "racism" situation involving the Deep South is going to grab attention. But how much detailed information is contained ?
I have been a member of the Southern Poverty Law Center for 24 years and, as such have kept abreast of every instance of racism and bigotry in the entire country during that period. There is, without doubt, more than enough to go around; but there has also been a lot of progress made and I'm reasonably sure that there are enough fair minded citizens, even in Mississippi, to give these young men a fair trial.
My experience, living and doing business in Roanoke, Virginia, and teaching thoroughly integrated classes at William Fleming High School for 11 years, that the racists and bigots and rednecks are still alive and kicking, but they are a rapidly dwindling minority. The vestiges of racial prejudice for most southerners seem to be of a gentler kind,less vicious than the yankee variety and in conflict with their traditional hospitable natures. It is still unfinished but I'm optimistic.
I completely agree with Frank. Racism is dwindling significantly, enough to be something to rarely see for me, for what that's worth. I've also never encountered any racism that's at that level of extremeness. I've never heard anything like this around me that would make me think racism is actually increasing. So I'd say their statements that racism is growing isn't well-founded. And the segragation in the community likely exists as a mutual segregation. For example, blacks tend to voluntarily visit all-black churches.
Posts: 6426 | Location: Grayson, Georgia, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
The fact that members of Jusork's generation are, for the most part, less prejudiced or intolerant than their grandparent's is certainly encouraging. The fact that racism, where it exists, is "stealth" rather than overt, is evidence of considerable progress when compared to what used to prevail in parts of this country. Fortunately, even though we haven't completely rid ourselves of racism, more of us are working toward it!
