Okay... how's the racism? (location, time, avoid)

[kytoaz]

this thread is hilarious and sad at the same time!!! it's got it all. bigots making increadibly racist statements that they don't even realize are racist, others who love to defend kentucky but really can't defend this thread, wishing it would just go away, AND horrible grammar!!
I really would like to nominate this for thread of legend! thanks to all who participated.

[cat eye]

Originally Posted by Buidhe’anMhanach

Hmmm. Here in the rural town of Marion, [which is located about halfway between Paducah and Madisonville] racism is alive and well!

The “local” gathers at “McDonalds“, “The Coffee Shop”, “Main Street Café” and such places, for coffee and to spread random rumors, negative opinions, and slurs toward Blacks, Mexicans, Jews, and -- well, just about any sect of the populace that does not fall in line with the Ultra Conservative - Evangelical views.

The local newspaper, The Crittenden Press, has a “regular” columnist -- the Reverend Lucy Tedrick [though, no person has a hint as to where she attended any type of schooling to be a minister] who continuously spews forth hatred of any “thing” or any “one” that possesses even an almost progressive thought.

Via Reverend Tedrick’s weekly "Religious Views" contributions, she conscientiously reminds the The Crittenden Press readers of the fact that President Obama is [in all actuality] either a Socialist, Communist, non-American, Muslim, a Satanic False Prophet, or ... he is a combination of any [if not all] mentioned.

Reverend Tedrick’s regular, typical rant concerns the concept that anything resembling Liberal automatically enmeshes abortion, prostitutes, drugs, and [reverend Tedrick's favorite idée fixe] the promotion of homosexuality, and lesbianism. A few months back, the good reverend Tedrick (note: intended sarcasm) finally must have had enough with her false act of being Politically Correct for in her column she came right out and used the slanderous term Qu**rs in one of her religious rants. The fact that she did so was not as much unbelievable as is the fact that the editor of The Crittenden Press, Mr. Chris Evans, recognized and accepted that the use of the pejoratively term, “Q*eer“, was suitable, and therefore, fit to be printed in his newspaper.

The very fact that there was not a single mentioning [never mind a criticism, complaint, objection] from any of Marion’s citizens, Advertisers within the paper, Church Organization, or Community Social Club, Civic Organization, Law Enforcement Agency, or Political Organization -- provides the proof that all forms of racisms and prejudices are completely Acceptable -- If not Expected -- here, in Marion, Crittenden County, Kentucky.

In fairness, I did hear from one man that his wife had written a letter to Mr. Chris Evans in objection to his newspaper’s printing the Reverend Tedrick’s article in general and more specially to the hatefulness’ intent of the usage of “Q*eers” in Reverend Tedrick’s printed article. The letter of objection sent to Mr. Chris Evans was never printed in his Letters to the Editor section of his newspaper. I commend this woman … a Methodist Church attendee, a wife, a mother, and a grandmother for her attempt to make a written complaint … owing that any person in Marion, in Crittenden County, to have the nerve to make a stand against intolerance and injustice is admirable, indeed.

Wow! this place sounds too good to be true, are there any houses for sale there?

[ewess001]

I'm a hispanic woman and Iam relocating to Ky to work for the federal government. I want to move to Bowling Green because I have heard the best things about that area vs the rest. What streets or ares is best for a working family. Just to add my husband is white/

[IrisMGOK]

That's the problem with the conversation on race that the President said we all need to have. It's an issue for just about anyone non-white, and that's why it's brought up over and over, because it's a problem over and over. This thread was started in 2006, but racism is a whole lot older. Bringing it up lets all of us know people are still scared in 2011. Everyone regardless of color has the right to feel safe wherever it is they choose to move. It's not a comfortable conversation, but we have all got stories to tell, good or bad, and it's smart to hear all of them before making an important life decision, no matter how long a thread it makes. The more people wish a thread such as this goes away, that's a sign that a thread like this is NEEDED. We all wish there weren't a need to bring up race, but sweeping it under the rug isn't the answer, either. We need to stop being afraid of the language and LISTEN to what is truly being said. There needs to be a topic like this in ALL of the states' threads. Congratulations, Kentuckians, on keeping the dialogue alive.

[csressler]

My husband works for a National Retail Company and there is a job opening in Lexington, KY so I too would like to know the racial atmosphere there. About 4 years ago I visited KY to go to Mammoth Caves. I have three African American children we adopted when we were foster parents. In the town of Munfordville we needed to make a pit stop for my youngest to use the restroom. While I was waiting I decided to buy sweet tea and a gentleman let me go ahead of him. My youngest ran up to me demanding that I purchase her something also. The man asked if she belonged to me. He was visibly upset and shocked when I replied she did. When I received our drinks I quickly left the stunned individuals not wanting a scene.
That evening we stopped at Shoney's in Elizabeth Town, KY. When we walked a woman gave me a high nose smirk (I admit I defiantly stared back at her). After our dinner an elderly African American man and younger man (his son?) was watching our family in the parking lot. During this time my husband became upset because my son disconnected the wiring from the car DVD players (which shorts out if done improperly). He yelled at my son because he had done so without asking (mind you we had a long day and we were all tired so ...). I told my husband that our son was a boy and boys like electronics. Apparently, that was an insensitive statement and the older African American gentleman became upset and started screaming he did not like the way I said boy. I told my husband it was time to leave...
I love my children but I get tired of walking on egg shells around people. We are just a normal family with all our good and bad tendencies.

[CraigCreek]

Oh, my, you did run into some unfortunate incidents - please don't judge all Kentuckians by them.

I think you should be fine in Lexington. There's a large adoption community with a good many parents who have adopted children from backgrounds different from their own race and/or nationality, and while you may encounter a surprised glance or two, most people take things in their stride and are accepting. There are also couples who have intermarried and have biracial children, along with single parents (birth and adoptive) with biracial children. It's just not a big deal with most people.

Of course, exceptions can be found.

There have been times of increased black-white racial tension in Lexington in the past, but in general, people get along well and are accepting of one another regardless of race.

[WClassifieds]

I have lived in Kentucky the last two years and I was born on the border of KY and TN, so I am familiar with the general area. Racism exists in small parts and areas, but it's not as widespread as people like to think. My wife is Hispanic and we've never had any issues here. I think there are some areas that may be worse, but from what I have experienced most seem to be nice.

Although I have to say, a lot of people are parochial and don't know or understand things clearly and blame Mexicans for taking their jobs, so they do get upset for inane things. But I have never seen any "extreme" racism i.e. cross burning's / threats, etc.

[Crazee Cat Lady]

^The trolls are alive and well.

[tonelab77]

^The cat ladies are still drinking boxed wine.

[nalabama]

Especially the ones without even a made-up location and a grand total of two posts.