I had [an internet] conversation about Ruby Bridges. During said conversation I realised the person I was conversing with was old enough to be one of those outside spitting on the poor child as she tried to go to school. And the fact that EVERY white parent withdrew their child from that school is evidence that nobody wanted mixed education.
But that was only 50 odd years ago. Further research shows they were a very badly behaved generation!
I have a niece. In rather cute way she prefixes any reference to her past mistakes or bad behaviour with the expression "Before I knew better."
We should just admit we have problems with anybody who's not like us. Large sections of society have problems with blacks, Jews, Muslims, gays, lesbians, teenagers, Communists, Pakistanis . . . And even those who claim not to now (because they know better) did at some point in their lives.
I'm interested in compiling some fictionalised accounts of these events, coupled with question of whether we pass our attitudes on to our children.
You don't have to have been a victim. You may have been a witness and done nothing. And it doesn't have to be racism. What was perfectly acceptable only a few years ago is frowned on today.
Think of the John Wayne era: when a woman became hysterical the remedy was to slap her, and if that didn't work then put her over your knee and give her a good spanking.
Just playing with ideas at the moment. It probably won't come to anything.
But that was only 50 odd years ago. Further research shows they were a very badly behaved generation!
I have a niece. In rather cute way she prefixes any reference to her past mistakes or bad behaviour with the expression "Before I knew better."
We should just admit we have problems with anybody who's not like us. Large sections of society have problems with blacks, Jews, Muslims, gays, lesbians, teenagers, Communists, Pakistanis . . . And even those who claim not to now (because they know better) did at some point in their lives.
I'm interested in compiling some fictionalised accounts of these events, coupled with question of whether we pass our attitudes on to our children.
You don't have to have been a victim. You may have been a witness and done nothing. And it doesn't have to be racism. What was perfectly acceptable only a few years ago is frowned on today.
Think of the John Wayne era: when a woman became hysterical the remedy was to slap her, and if that didn't work then put her over your knee and give her a good spanking.
Just playing with ideas at the moment. It probably won't come to anything.