[yeah-yo]

I live in Atlanta, and I want to go to Panama City Beach, FL. Do you think I would be hassled for being in an interracial marriage with two children. Basically, I am going down Al-1/US 431. It might sound like a strange question but I am new to the south, and I am trying to have fun, not get into a fight with someone.

[harry chickpea]

Let me put it this way. The Klan got the bright idea to hold a rally in Athens this year. Because of free speech rights and lawsuits, those rallies have to be allowed. There were 15 Klan and a couple hundred counter-protestors from various churches, and the tv news focused on the tolerant reaction of a black man with his mixed race child and ignored the Klan spew.

You are more likely to get into a fight if you root for the wrong football team than for being in a mixed marriage. Southern Alabama generally roots for Auburn, north central Alabama for the Tide, and north north Alabama may root for Tennessee. (Now watch the fireworks as people dispute this. )

[Keeper]

I would agree with Harry.. in fact I heard the KKK was from Indiana not AL (on the news) People may look your way but I doubt anyone will say anything. Let's face it there are racist people everywhere, even up north, but because it is the south people assume everyone here is a racist and that simply is not true.

[Threestep2]

Folks we had this over and over and over:>(

[thebigr]

It is 2007. There is more racism in large cities than in the country. Pack the car and kids and drive safe.

[zobee]

You'll be driving through my town - two blocks from my house.

I doubt highly you will run into a situation where you are in any physical danger. However, you are going to get a lot of looks, and some of them aren't going to be very nice.

If you want to cut down on the looks, here's my best advice --

Depending on how many MPG you get, fuel up pretty much anywhere in Selma and don't stop again until you're well into Baldwin County - like Spanish Fort or further toward the beach, if you can. If you do have to stop, the best alternatives for rest room/snack breaks (imho):

Thomasville, AL (About 100 miles south of Selma)
Satsuma, AL (there's a truck stop there, just under the 65 overpass)

Enjoy your trip!

[Reactionary]

zobee - the post said 431, not 41. If they go through Selma or Baldwin County - they're lost :-)

Yeah-yo - the drive will be fine, if you feel uncomfortable plan to stop near a military base (Fort Benning / Columbus or Fort Rucker / Dothan).

I'm more curious about you using a slang term for cocaine as your pseudonym. That'll get you in more trouble than anything else.

[zobee]

Hey, where did my post go? Hm.

Sorry yeah-yo -- I thought I read "43" - guess I should have worn my reading glasses!

Have fun on your trip!

Zoe

[Zmehappy]

Yeah-yo, it's a sad day when you have to worry about your families safety due to your choices in life. Go enjoy the trip and make the best of it and ignore the pie eyes of life.

[rockbeck]

I too have questions of race relations. My daughter goes to the University in Tuscaloosa,she is white and has an interest in a black guy.She is from California where that's not really a big deal.But, I'm concerned if they would face any trouble. She has talked to her friends there and she is appalled at how racist they are.