I don't want to offend anyone, but does Mississippi really still have the KKK? (Jackson: school, live in)

[primer]

mississippi is still the same although some things have change. they can't get away with the
things they use to.

[primer]

mississippi havent change that much, but there are alot of people
that hated what mississippi has stood for in the pass. and alot
of people that just want to forget easy said then done.

[vgoddess]

The north likes to poke fun at the south and make us out to be hillbillies. I'm originally from TX but I lived in NYC for 2 yrs and MS for 4 yrs. Is there racism in MS? Yes. Is there racism in NYC? Yes. I lived in a polish neighborhood and overheard the ladies at church, native new yorkers, making derogatory comments about the polish. And we've all heard about cabs not stopping for black people. Did I ever see the klan in MS? Nope. Is everybody racist in MS? Nope. Schools are integrated and neighborhoods are becoming more and more integrated. Actually a lot of segregation is due to public housing. Ignorance is everywhere but no more so in Mississippi than in NYC.

[stars&bars]

Ministers, you must have some sort of an idea what your question asks, I mean face it Mississippi has been a state that in my mind has always been referred to as a Klan state, backwards etc. and many northerners and many today refer to the state as racist and redneck.
I live in New Jersey and people today still have that ridiculous notion about Mississippi! I fell in love with the state when I visited in'07. Heck I bet you there are more segregated schools and neighborhoods right here in New Jersey than Mississippi!!!
When I was attending High School in the 1970's I remember seeing the first Black student at my high school and this in the 1970's but I remember my friends and yes even me saying amongst ourselves how are we going to get him out of our school! So you see your probably saying this because of all the negative mass media ads, anti-Mississippi movies made and what you have heard through third party discussions about the state.
By the way I just want to say that I think the Mississippi state flag is one of the nicer state flags that I've seen!!! To me it shows a people dedicated to their heritage and after so much hoopla about it being a racist flag a majority of the citizens and I'm taking a majority of them black voted in a referendum to retain the 1894 flag!
GOD BLESS THEM ALL!!!

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Originally Posted by ministers

Hello, I don't want to offend anyone but I was watching this documentary of The National Geographic Channnel and it said that the KKK still holds meeting and ceremonies in Mississippi and across the south. My aunt who currently lives in Mississippi said the KKK is on the rise. I just wanted to know how true this was.

I know they are going strong in Texas.

[jacksonian]

Originally Posted by ministers

If I was planning to move to Germany, yes I would ask question about Nazi's being in Germany. I do not know why this is such an offensive question. I know race is still touchy, but these issues need to be addressed. The question was not meant to put Mississippi down there is racism everywhere.

Ok, fair enough. Moderator cut: it is not necessary to be rude

[cia191630]

Jacksonian...hahaha now thats funny

ministers...I first started going to MS in 2002 and was there at least 1 or 2 days every couple of months...Everyone was more than nice...I'm from the north (great lakes region) and I had never had a door held open for me (and have the nerve to be patient & hold the door while I make my way to it)...I was in for my biggest culture shock when I moved there in 2004...I'm riding up the street minding my own business, this white guy (and I'm black) was watering his grass outside, he WAVED at me *gasp* I somewhat waved back...continuing on my way, white dude was walking his dog, as I passed he also waved *gasp*...how dare they cross racial boundaries that the media portrays <sarcasm>

When I first told my family I was moving to MS, they questioned why, don't you watch the news, history...my grandfather basically cussed me out about it, poorest state in the country, blah blah...I explained maybe it's really not the way it's portrayed, it's not like that everywhere especially the part I'm going to (coast)...my grandma, cousin, brother (lived with me) & aunt have visited me while I lived there & see the stereotype of MS is not true

I'm originally from Detroit, everyone knows about Detroit's crime, there's bad schools there, it's the most segregated city I know (very rarely do you find any other race living in the city limit) but you can't say the whole state is bad because of 1 city

I've experienced more racism in Phoenix, AZ than I have in MS, I've experienced 2 maybe 3 instances in MS...2 of them were old people, probably set in their ways & those ways aren't modern because the man in one of those instances I think it was more of a gender issue than a racial issue...idk what to say about the other instance, just that it was creepy lol, I even went as far as calling my daughter's father (lives there) and was like omg do they still be lynching people here, yea he laughed at me lol.

Basically what I think I'm trying to say lol is MS is no more segregated than any other state, probably less so due to the state trying to get away from it's tarnished image. It's good to know your history, but it's even better to let go of the past & come into the present...don't always believe what the media portrays...I haven't heard anything of the KKK but I'm sure it exists in MS just as I'm sure there are branches in EVERY state...I do know they don't do what they used to in the past, I think I'd be more scared of other hate groups than the KKK...come visit different area of the state see what vibe you get, I know I love the area, the hospitality is 2nd to none

PS...there is even interracial couples *gasp* also integrated neighborhoods & schools

[ministers]

[quote=jacksonian;7723703]Ok, fair enough.


Why don't you learn some southern hospitality? I know one thing about the south, not everyone there is hospitable. And no one asked you to respond, if you are going to call people names sideways. It is such a waste. People tend to get so angry over a simple question, grow up.

[stars&bars]

CIA,
I was shocked to hear about Phoenix being so racist! I always envisioned Phoenix being a warm and quiet city but I guess that's how the city of Phoenix is portrayed. Many people if asked what city they thought of being more racist Jackson,MS or Phoenix AZ and I'll bet ya more than 70% would equate Jackson of being more racist.
Like yourself I visited the state and never seen or even heard about the Klan holding rallies and I drove through some very rural areas of the state,seen a few signs on peoples lawns saying something about leaving the state flag alone but this was in Grenada and I think those who had the signs were Black folks .
I'd like to know more about your experiences in Phoenix!

[ministers]

Originally Posted by stars&bars

CIA,
I was shocked to hear about Phoenix being so racist! I always envisioned Phoenix being a warm and quiet city but I guess that's how the city of Phoenix is portrayed. Many people if asked what city they thought of being more racist Jackson,MS or Phoenix AZ and I'll bet ya more than 70% would equate Jackson of being more racist.
Like yourself I visited the state and never seen or even heard about the Klan holding rallies and I drove through some very rural areas of the state,seen a few signs on peoples lawns saying something about leaving the state flag alone but this was in Grenada and I think those who had the signs were Black folks .
I'd like to know more about your experiences in Phoenix!

I was talking to someone on a thread and they said Boston was really racist, I was surprised I always thought liberals were more open minded, shows what I know.