Memo to racists: Stay the hell away from me
Doug Thompson April 9, 2008 - 6:19am.
Somebody left an unsigned, multi-page racist screed taped to the front window of Blue Ridge Muse last night.
I only got through the first-page of the hate-filled diatribe aimed at Democratic Presidential contender Barack Obama before starting to retch. I ripped the pages into shreds and dumped them into the nearest trashcan.
Let's get something straight up front: I despise racism and those who practice it. I have no patience with bigots, homophobes, racists and anti-Semites.
So stay the hell away from me. Don't waste my time with your ignorance, your hate or your intolerance.
Doug, So sorry you had to be
Doug,
So sorry you had to be the recipient of so much ignorance...however, is anyone surprised? We have a Woman's Club that supports a racist, we have a high school teacher who, on his own, is teaching "Southern Heritage," in addition to a hallway at FCHS designated "Red-Neck Hallway." Funny? Charming? No, racist. Yet people want to look around and say things like "Oh, the lovely mountains." Mountains ain't racist. Time to wake up and smell the coffee, folks. It's 2008, the world is smaller and we all have to live in it. We could make it a great world, for everyone, or we can choose to hang onto fear and ignorance and continue to stumble along, badly. Seems like a no-brainer but, unfortuantely, not to those with no brains, I guess.
Racism on Taxpayer Supported School Property
The big shocker here is that these manifestations of racism that Rob has outlined (including the Floyd County Woman's Club's support of a racist, which takes place on FCHS property) are all prohibited by Floyd County School Board Policies and Procedures and the Standards of Student Conduct adopted by the Floyd County School Board. The School Board and the Administration should be held accountable by the citizens of Floyd County for enforcing their own policies. If (for whatever reason) they can't do the job with which they have been entrusted, they should be removed and replaced. I know and respect some of the people who can change this and they are not racists or supporters of racism. So what's going on? What's the hold up? Do the right thing.
Debate with your full name
If you want to debate this issue, do so with your full name. I'm not going to allow people to engage in a debate on race by hiding behind screen handles or partial names. Jim, if you want to repost the comment you just made, do so with your full name.
all Jims are created equal.....sorta
Doug,
While I'm not same "Jim" who's earlier comment spurred this message, I am a frequent visitor and have posted a comment or 2 since learning about your site awhile back...(Coincidentally one of those posts was in response to Mr. Walker's appearance at the craft fair.)...I've never posted to this forum using anything other than my full name.
At any rate, I see this as an opportunity to express my own view of racism and I'm a sucker for a soapbox.
The way I see it, racism is a self-imposed blight on humanity. Racism is, and has always been, a significant stumbling block to the improvement of the human condition. Racism does as much harm (mentally, spiritually and psychically speaking) to the racist as it does to the "victims" of racism. That said, I feel that overcoming racism is among the biggest challenges faced by us humans and I'm hopeful it can be accomplished some day. The message seems almost too simple "it's a virtue to love, and torture to hate."
I can only hope that whomever left that flyer for you has gotten whatevers eatin' em out of their system. I suspect it was done in an effort to be "cute"...maybe the sad reflection they've created of themself will give them pause to reflect.
Q for Rob
Rob,
I'm curious to know which teacher you are referring to. My daughter attends FCHS, and while I have heard of the infamous 'Redneck Hall', I have not heard of the teacher you mention. I wouldn't mind a personal email (Doug has my permission to give it to you) to let me know the scoop on that. I cannot tolerate racism and I will not knowingly allow my children to be exposed to it in the classroom. It's bad enough I have to battle against it from other children, but teachers, too?!?
Dear Tracy, Just know "of"
Dear Tracy,
Just know "of" this teacher and that a meeting with Dr. Arbogast has been scheduled and rescheduled more than once...it might be a good idea to call the school board office and register your discomfort with the "information." Every little bit helps. And thanks to Jim White for his insightful perspective.
Sigh..
What part of "use your full name to discuss this thread" do some of you not understand? I've had to stick two more in the Akismat spam queue because they insisted on hiding behind anonymous screen handles.
That doesn't play here. Racism is too important a subject to allow anonymous posting. Hiding your identity may work for the Ku Klux Klan but it doesn't work here.
Thank you to those who are willing to go on the record with their name. You obviously have the courage of your convictions.
Thank You!
Thank you so much Doug for your stand against racism!
I was shocked to read some previous post on your site a few weeks ago. I'm 66 a years old white woman, who grew up thru the civil rights riots, and even thought I knew there were still racist among us, I was surprised at the hate and venom that I read, on earlier posts.
I agree too, that people who want to make those horrible racial lies and statements, should be required to post their full names. They know what they're saying is nothing by hate and lies, that's why they are reluctant to let people know who they are.
But I'm also encouraged too, by the many people who have spoke up against the terrible smears and lies that a few have tried to spread around. Too all of you who care enough to make a difference, I am very grateful. I thank you
Still Trying
I would like to know what's so racist about southern heritage? Should I be offended by the term "redneck"? Let's get rid of the thought and speech police please.
Southern Heritage
Jim:
I see nothing wrong with teaching "Southern Heritage" per se, just as I see nothing wrong with teaching "African American Heritage" or "Latin American Heritage." This issue becomes what is being taught. If the content of the teaching of any "heritage" promotes the supremacy of any race over another then we have a problem. If the teaching of "Southern Heritage" tries to excuse the practice of slavery, then we have a problem. As I understand it, the teaching in this case is outside the standard and approved curriculum of the school. That, at the very least, merits inquiry.
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