Is open racism still common in Mississippi? (fit in, unemployed)

[jwkilgore]

I was in MS over Independence Day weekend visiting family, and I thought about this thread.

I have a large white extended family, mostly living in rural areas. A few cousins live in urban-ish areas. Me in Chattanooga, TN, and then there's Starkville, Southaven, Brandon, etc. We had a family gathering on the 3rd with both of sides of my family represented (paternal and maternal). The majority of the family was able to make it, so the turn-out was remarkable.

I was starkly reminded about the differences between rural and urban areas as well as the generational divide. One of my first-cousins married a black man about 20 years ago. Most of my dad's generation (all rural) still think "it's just not right to mix races", and some are still quite vocal about this even after all this time. Of those in my generation, most of the town-folk think it's mostly to fully acceptable; the rural ones in my generation are less accepting with more leaning toward "it's not right" than the other way.

But yet again, this is really no different than any other state.

Incidentally, in response to the more recent posts, I lived in MS for 24 years (1973 to 1998) and I visit several times a year. I have never seen a burning cross anywhere in Mississippi. Unless the poster was the ONLY person who happened to see it, this would have made national news. I HAVE seen lots of crosses on hillsides lit up with bright lights, however. White guys running over a black guy? It's horrible, but if I cared to try I could probably find a similar incident in almost any other state; I could probably also find a where a couple of black guys ran over a white guy just because he was white.

[jhadorn]

Originally Posted by North Pulaski Player

DA: Black man run over, killed in Miss. hate crime - Yahoo! News

This stuff still happens in Mississippi?!?!?! I really wanted to believe that Mississippi has been unfairly portrayed in a bad light because of its history, but maybe all the negative portrayals over the years are justified...

What's your point? I could find a hundred hate crimes from every area of the country, but I am not going to chastize an entire state for an isolated incident.

Here are 3 in Arkansas, all recent:

Arkansas Men Charged with Federal Hate Crime Related to the Assault of Five Hispanic Men

Forrest City death possible hate crime UPDATE | Arkansas Blog

Woman pleads guilty in hate crime case - KAIT-Jonesboro, AR-News, weather, sports, classifieds-

Arkansas is one of only a handful of states with no Hate Crime laws or statutes. Shame on you for attempting to demonize Mississippi before looking at your own backyard, as well as singling us out for a problem that is much more prevelant in other areas.

[jonsereed]

Originally Posted by Listener2307

Oh, yeah. Every reporter KNOWS that he had better not report what REALLY goes on in Mississippi. And besides, there are people like North Pulaski and jonesreed who know all about it and will inform the poor, misled public.

And the NAACP and other black organizations? Well, everyone knows they are too afraid to report what really happens here. They leave it up to the above mentioned to report it while the NAACP officials and reporters cower in the corner.

Oh, yeah

you got me all wrong , my bad for not being clearer

fact is I do believe those stats_MS having very few hate crimes_of course they cant cover up a murder or aggravated assault but I also believe the minor ones may be played down some. Constantly reminding the rest of the world of your colorful past wouldnt be smart and MS authorities are no doubt well aware of it.

[glass_of_merlot]

Im going to be honest. There are tons of racism, here and everywhere. All these white people you think are not racist...if you could hear their comments when they are with their white friends. They might not drop the N word over and over again, but I promise you, racism is alot more than words.

[JohnPaul]

the door swings both ways on the subject of racism, but who the hell has the time for that crap, i am to busy living my life.

[brachiomorph]

If you think racism and bigotry have diminished, you should try playing Call of Duty multiplayer.

Within ten minutes you'll hear enough racial and homosexual slurs to last a lifetime.

[glass_of_merlot]

Originally Posted by brachiomorph

If you think racism and bigotry have diminished, you should try playing Call of Duty multiplayer.

Within ten minutes you'll hear enough racial and homosexual slurs to last a lifetime.

whats that?

[Desert kid]

Originally Posted by glass_of_merlot

whats that?

It's a game on Xbox, and you can play it (along with other games like Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption, etc) with other people around the world with an internet connection. And he's right, there are enough slurs the people shout on them to last a few lifetimes.

[Grant_Hobgood]

Of COURSE it's around. It's the south LOL. That being said, it's not JUST whites against blacks. I would argue that the older blacks in town are far more obvious of there disapproval of white kids than anyone where I live.

[glass_of_merlot]

Originally Posted by Grant_Hobgood

Of COURSE it's around. It's the south LOL. That being said, it's not JUST whites against blacks. I would argue that the older blacks in town are far more obvious of there disapproval of white kids than anyone where I live.

Here in Memphis, Black on white racism is more common than anything.