Racism really that rampant in Indy? (Indianapolis, Columbus: live in, assessment, station)

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by Rubi3

When a leftist blames racism on the "right," I know the leftist is very biased. There are MANY who are uneducated and have limited abilities to think critically who are racists due to countless other things than being influenced by Rush Limbaugh. Imo, leftists are sucked into believing whatever their leaders tell them.

Read my post completely. I would add that I did not present my personal views, so I would appreciate your not categorizing me with any particular group or following.

I presented this as an opinion, and nothing more. The experiences I had with people I have direct contact with in the area were all very right wing and intolerant. They regularly listened to and quoted such sources, including the very biased Fox News. I will grant that it was a fairly small sample.

I have not met or experienced any left wing folks in the same area who espouse the thinking of left wing radio or TV personalities. Maybe I'm living in the wrong place? I'm sure they're out there - I have no doubt. I just haven't experienced them or their followers.

I'm not blaming racism on anyone, just relating my experiences with it to the people that promoted it. I'm sure it's just as prevalent with those of opposing views.

RM

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by MortonR

I'm not going to disclose personal details, suffice to say I lived in Florida for over ten years and returned to Indianapolis roughly six years ago. The more recent experience is what I am basing my comments on, not 20 or 30 year old experiences. They would not be relevant today.

And I am definitively not "up there in years", either. Still a ways away from retirement, unfortunately.

RM

You saw a cross burning in the last 6 years?

Originally Posted by MortonR

As for my age, suffice to say that I was living in Indianapolis at a time when I saw a number of cross burnings and KKK gatherings. I grew up and lived on a side of town where the KKK had a presence, and some of its leadership lived.

I think that establishes my bona fides.

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by Toxic Toast

You saw a cross burning in the last 6 years?

No. You took my comment out of context. Read the trailing sentence that refers to my growing up there.

That's when I saw cross burnings. Several of them.

RM

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by MortonR

No. You took my comment out of context. Read the trailing sentence that refers to my growing up there.

That's when I saw cross burnings. Several of them.

RM

Decades ago. Pretty dated reference, is it not?

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by Toxic Toast

Decades ago. Pretty dated reference, is it not?

Yes it is, and I didn't imply that it wasn't. It was in context with the whole comment.

RM

[Serious Conversation]

I wouldn't say "racism" is out of control, but that people are having to ask and debate sometimes uncomfortable questions about race within and among themselves.

I've lived in a VERY white area in Iowa, a mostly white area in TN, and a more diverse area of SC. Out of all the places I've lived, I've never felt more aware of racial divisions, what groups commit the majority of the crime, and just general sense of race than I have here. Even though SC had fewer whites than even the city of Indy, everyone seemed to get along better and there wasn't such a clear division of black and white. People were generally of the same culture, less likely to shoot, and friendlier overall.

If nothing else, I've found that race is a day to day concern here, and it just wasn't anywhere else, even compared to the South.

[PhrankMartian]

Definitely Trolling here but....Where Can I find these cross burnings?

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by PhrankMartian

Definitely Trolling here but....Where Can I find these cross burnings?

I can't help but think that those who report seeing cross burnings are hanging out with the wrong people.

[PhrankMartian]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

I can't help but think that those who report seeing cross burnings are hanging out with the wrong people.

Oh, really? and what, pray tell, was your boring ass saturday night like?
That's what I thought.

(I really am bored at work today, sorry)

[MortonR]

This is getting a bit tiring, but...

I grew up on the Southside of Indianapolis in the 1960s and 1970s. As a child and a teenager I saw, on more than on occasion, KKK meetings and the requisite cross burnings. One in particular I remember well, as we were driving down Meridian St. just south of Banta Road, where on the west side of Meridian was a nursery (like trees and plants nursery.) There was a large crowd of people gathered there and the cross was quite prominent, and definitely in flames.

I remember asking my parents what was going on, and they explained what the KKK was and how they had meetings that would often culminate in cross burnings or something of that sort.

I remember another one as a teenager when I was in high school. We heard rumors about it and went to investigate. It took place at an old Moose lodge that was on Wicker Road, west of SR 37. We went and parked on the road and walked up close enough so that we could see what was taking place.

I never said nor implied that cross burnings were taking place in the present. My point was only that there was some serious racism going on at the time, and living in the area recently exposed me to plenty of it, if not as overt, that's all.

RM