1 well, i have to say that racism is instilled in people when they are too young to form their own opinions. one of my earliest memories was riding in the car with my father and my big brother (in Reno, NV, about 35 years ago) and we stopped at a stoplight, and a black man started to cross the street, and my father said " Look, kids! That's a Spook!" being only 2 years old at the time, and the internet hadn't been invented by Al Gore yet, i couldn't verify that the black man wasn't a government official, so i had to assume that black people were bad, etc, etc. i'm glad now, that i recognized my father's racism for what it was in my childhood, when it's not too late to change your programming, and have fought for many years to forget it. i think that i'm mostly recovered from racism now, i have friends from different races than my own, i speak Spanish, i'm trying to learn Maya, and every time i see a new black person in my little town, i do my best to give them a warm welcome. yet, the word "spook", i can't stop associating with black people. i'll stop rambling now. thanks, Harvey.

2 I grew up in Berryland, a housing project on Milwaukee's north side and attended Carleton school which was diversified to 50/50 by white flight. Fortunately, my inborn white bigotry was fixed by diversity training while at Marquette University, or else I would never have learned about other people in the world.

3 It took diversity training? Please tell me you're being sarcastic. Harv - one problem I have is that there are still a number of people/organizations that benefit from poor race relations between black and white. We are likely to see increased nationwide issues in regard to the Hispanic population. And God forbid you are a minority succeeding in the white man's world. Instead of succeeding, you've 'sold out'.

4 ...and this is where I say "Thank God for my parents". They taught by action, having all manner of friends about the place constantly. Loved to party, those people. The entire color spectrum present, [as it were] plus lesbians! {Who really knew how to give birthday presents!} I grew up secure in the knowledge that we were all the same. Everybody was A-Okay. Until, of course, we moved from L.A. to a small southeast Texas town. One of the first things I heard a denizen of that burgh say was: "Somebody finally killed that &$%^#* &#$%@*." Talking about Dr. King, in 1968. I remember the moment like it was yesterday. My heart nearly stopped as I struggled to understand what he meant and why he'd said such a thing in the first place. I know what pump at the now defunct gas station we were at, how my mother's face looked and the way she hurried to finish so we could leave. I'm closer to understanding, but it's still something I have trouble with... Great post! Sorry for the long-ness of my comment!

5 Actually, I don't know if the Navy fixed my racism. I mean, is it racist to say that - while you're in boot camp - you should NEVER... EVER... let a white guy call cadence while you're marching? Seriously. That white guy from Ohio might be a wonderful human being, but he's terminally rhythm-impaired. It was just nicer havin' a brother dishin' out the walkin' rhymes. True fact. Call it racist if you will. They were just better at it. As for my parents, they never really mentioned race one way or the other. Except that my dad always referred to Brazil Nuts as "nigger toes". The guy was born in 1916, so I tend not to hold it against him too much, considering that Al Jolson was still wearing blackface back in his day.

6 I grew up in a Navy family. I wasn't aware of bigotry until I was about 14. I knew my grandparents (both MidWestern and Southern) used words they should not with regard to people who looked different than we did, but it was explained away by my folks as sometimes 'older generations' thought of things in ways we did not and were not accurate. I was surprised when I found people my own age with the same closed mindedness as those 'old people'. I was on a date once and the guy used the "evil 'n'" word and I had him take me home immediately. I had an in law use that word in my house once and told them if they ever used it again, they would never be welcome back. It hasn't happened again. That said, I am guilty to some degree of stereotyping now... for instance, if you say 'mass murderer', I NEVER think 'black person', I think 'whacked out white person'.

7 I grew up in Jackson Ms. in the 60's so I have seen racism up close and personal. when I was young there was an effort by society to teach us not to define ourselves by the color of our skin. The older white generation of parents in many cases, gave the children a different view. Now, the parents are the ones who teach that the color of our skin is not important and society and culture is making racism rise again with allowing slurs in rap and other music and older blacks trying to convince the younger ones that things are racist when they are not. Yes, racism still exists, no doubt, but now it is is being perpetuated by both sides. Rednecks and those who profit or have power by promoting the vicim status for blacks.

8 Bou - Oddly, when I think of serial killers, I think of people from Wisconsin... Jeffrey Dahmer, Ed Gein...

9 Racism - I truly beleive that the human race is superior than all other races. How often is the term used incorrectly? Nowadays, there are many more bigots than racists I believe (I don't know if that was ever different). I don't like a lot of what is portryaed as mainstream black culture. I don't like a fair amount of what I see in hispanic culture. I think that any culture that does not promote honest hard work, good communication skills, and intelligence is not a good thing. And minorities do not have a monopoly on this problem. Racism takes generations to fight. I think we've done a good job in America. Are we and have we been perfect? Heck no! But today I live nextdoor to blacks and hispanics in a middle class neighborhood. My daughter is closest to our black neighbor's daughter and a vietnamese girl from her class. In my opinion, the racism fight has already been won. We're in the mop up phase, fighting pockets of resistance on both ends of the spectrum. This southern, white, Dixie proud, 'conservative' feels we just have to make sure that the momentum continues in the right direction. We'll be fine on the racism front. Not that it will be easy. Less than 10 years ago, my folks moved out of the SE and into the midwest. They too noticed the difference in cultures. In the south, blacks are not outnumbered and have a big say in daily government and life. Out in the midwest, generally blacks are outnumbered. As a result, they either assimilate more quickly into 'mainstream' culture or are easily outvoted. People outside of the south say that they 'have no racism issues', but it likely lies buried under the surface because the 'issues' are never really dealt with. (I may have worded this wrong but the gist of it is correct) In general nowadays, there is an extreme jealousy towards those who have become successful, regardless of race. How can a capitalistic society push on if media and society constantly deride any individual who acheives success via traditional channels - not winning the lottery, not winning a lawsuit vs. big corp., not as a musician/actor/artist. I think that may be a more important issue in the future. And when did Redneck become such a dirty word? I know plenty of wonderful redneck people. Seen quite a few here today in Kansas City. We need to do away with that term too.

10 I grew up in a neighborhood that was maybe 20% minority, and went to a highschool that was 60% black in Rockford, IL. No blinders here. I grew out of the racism my dad instilled in me, but I may still be considered racist because of some of the opinions I've formed about racism, especially towards black people. I started writing about this here, then deleted it. If I'm going to take fire, I'll do it back at my place and not start a war here at Harv's...

11 Harvey - Glad you put your comment after Bou's. I was going to say something about when I hear Harvey is from Wisconsin, I think maybe Harv had an Uncle Ed, and used to go drinking with some guy named Jeffrey. But I won't now.

12 I have these little 'place' fantasies... when all those who hold a 'y' chromosome in my household make me nuts and I feel like running away... forever... I picture myself someplace quiet and secluded. I'm x'ing Wisconsin off my list now!

13 Gee, T1G, thanks for keeping quiet on that one :-P Bou - try Mexico. Cheap beer & donkey shows :-)

14 fgdfg

15 I grew up with no minorities and if any one that is racist comes by me I am gong kick their ass.

16 I am white and I think all people are equal and if somebody disagrees fuck them

17 I'm REALLY white and I think some people are VASTLY superior to others, but it's all about IQ, not race, so fuck me :-)