When I was in Elementary School in Melrose Florida in the late 1960's early 1970's.... I remember that the black children lined up at one water fountain and the whites at another. I remember watching roots and crying and crying and not being able to finish watching the series
after the slave was whipped. I remember people calling my black friends Niggers...
BUT TODAY...Today will overshadow all those memories. I am an AMERICAN!!! I am a proud AMERICAN. May God bless t his man and his vision. May WE choose to be apart of blessing this nation and our children by DOING our part.
11 comments:
I have also strong memories of racial discrimination from childhood, in Indiana and Florida. It seems like a long time ago but on the historical time line it was a short while....which makes THIS event so WONDERFUL! I feel the eyes of God looking down and blessing us for embracing this man to be our leader!
I"m ready to do what it takes to bring this world out of the hole it is in...only gotta find my "thing" to do here! I wish I were THERE! And near you! WOW...It would be fantastic! Ideas and Actions!
Yay for Obama! I just love that guy.
I have to say that in my lifetime (thankfully) racial slurs have been few and far between. However, I have seen the old video footage of police attacks against peaceful protesters in Alabama, and I know that the "n" word is still alive and kicking. :(
I am so happy to be a part of history in the making, as I watched him take office yesterday. It shows me that good things are coming, and has restored my faith in people...
P.S. You were missed last night! If you are interested in February, the club picked "Goose Girl" by Shannon Hale. More details to come soon...
If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
---Mother Teresa
And I just think that what this world needs NOW is LOVE...sweet love....
I'm proud to be on the Kiss Obama butt train and Natalie I don't believe for a second that you dreamed this up. I think as a child you were wise and sensitive beyond your years and when something was bothersome to you, you really took notice. To others maybe such notice wasn't taken because it was "normal" for the times or "accepted".
I'm proud at the progress our country has made.
Sheri I couldn't agree more.......as the Beatles said "All you need is LOVE"
Oh and I didn't grow up anywhere close to the south but repeatedly through the years heard blacks referred to as Niggers and in fact still do on occasion. I cringe today at that word just like I did when I was a child.
Paula,
I will believe what I want. I just don't believe for a second that Natalie is lying. First of all for what good reason would she lie? Second of all do you know Natalie and know her heart, if you do, you'll know that it just isn't in her to lie. I don't doubt that you were sensitive. I just know that Natalie was extra sensitive.
What has Obama done for us, well since he's been in office a whole day not much. Time will tell. Do I think he'll be the perfect President, not by a long shot. Has he given this country hope to move forward? I'd say that is a big fat YES! Does our country need a little hope right now? Again YES!! You have an interesting idea for change. We'll just have to sit back and see what happens. I don't think he could possibly dig us any deeper than Bush has. You are right Obama is part white so why are you so hung up on his black part, I'm certainly not. To me he is a human being who has given our country hope again and who I believe is going to do his best to make things better for everyone. And because he is part black it shows just how far our country has come, that is the best part of all. And I'm not sure what this whole anti-Christ thing is? Did I say I didn't question? I happen to believe that questioning is good. And I believe that we can all have our own opinions and agree to disagree. However I don't do so well when someone whom I love and trust has their character put into question. The funny thing is I didn't need to say anything at all because the people that read this blog love and trust her too.
So that's fine you go on believing what you want and I will believe what I want and I really don't mean to take offense but I just had to go to bat for my girl, I hope you can understand that! :)
I particularly enjoyed the Mother Teresa quote and find deep truth within her words. Thank you for that. But, perhaps she could have said those words in a way that we might have understood a little easier. I'll give translation a try.......Never more evident than on the blog today, the whole world (including you, ME, and all the others) need to schedule an appointment with our doctors and request a prescription to alleviate our anal glaucoma!
And, I would suggest that the authors of any blog entries after this one be mandated a double dose!!!!
How many times today did we give up peace in our life to be right? My comments suggest that I just did it again....DOH!!!! I would also suggest that none of us have enough fingers or toes to adequately tally the days total of lost peace....all in the quest to be right....whatever that means?!
Don't worry, my doctor knows I'm right and will give me all the double doses of anal glaucoma cure I need!!! Would anyone like to carpool to the doctors office in the morning???
Please don't hesitate to submit another entry. The hard truth is, WE all need double doses!!!
Natalie,
I couldn't agree with YOU more and your brothers and Sheri and Miss Megan! I remember the same things happening in Gainesville...at JJ Finley Elementary in 1972...right in the middle of the university town...I can only imagine that it would be a lot worse in a little country town like Melrose. There were no signs on the water fountains, but the kids knew where to drink! And most of my classes were segregated, too, despite all the laws that passed. The white kids had the white teachers and the black kids had the black teachers! Although we were in the same school..so technically we weren't segregated. We only "mixed" a little during part of the day for PE, Reading groups, library times, lunch. Matter of fact, all through school even in GHS my classes were nearly segregated. I'm embarrassed about this part of my education very much...it is such a shame. I lost out on so many potential friends by being organized that way. I'm so glad that things have changed now! I hope!
And Obama...he is THE MAN TO DO THIS JOB NOW! I am also on the "kiss the O'butt train" big time! He's such an intelligent man! Let's help him do this job right!
A HUG to you and I hope you're feeling better soon! I am...finally, well, cough, cough, sniffle, better!
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