Comments on: Forty years… for many, still only a dream. http://www.bloggle.com/2008/04/forty-years-for-too-many-still-only-a-dream/ Coffee & Commentary Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:54:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: deCadmus http://www.bloggle.com/2008/04/forty-years-for-too-many-still-only-a-dream/#comment-46618 deCadmus Mon, 07 Apr 2008 05:28:52 +0000 http://www.bloggle.com/2008/04/forty-years-for-too-many-still-only-a-dream/#comment-46618 In too many places, still, far too many folk of most all skin colors (and genders or sexual preference, belief in god or lack of it, home on the wrong side of the tracks or no home at all) aren't afforded the dignity that *each* of us deserves. It makes me think that racism has never been an issue of color but a question of humanity; specifically, the *lack* of it that marks one as a racist. Thanks for your note. In too many places, still, far too many folk of most all skin colors (and genders or sexual preference, belief in god or lack of it, home on the wrong side of the tracks or no home at all) aren’t afforded the dignity that *each* of us deserves.

It makes me think that racism has never been an issue of color but a question of humanity; specifically, the *lack* of it that marks one as a racist.

Thanks for your note.

]]> By: Irene http://www.bloggle.com/2008/04/forty-years-for-too-many-still-only-a-dream/#comment-46614 Irene Sun, 06 Apr 2008 19:43:47 +0000 http://www.bloggle.com/2008/04/forty-years-for-too-many-still-only-a-dream/#comment-46614 When MLK was assassinated in 1968, I was 22 years old teaching 1st grade in Cairo, GA. I had crossed colored lines - the term used when white teachers taught at colored schools. This was GA's idea of integration. When I was interviewed for the job, the white superintendent told me he had to make sure I wasn't prejudiced against colored children. I told him I taught children and I didn't care what color they were! The children came from poor, rural families. I was their first contact with a white person who treated them with dignity. I've often wondered if they found others who treated them with dignity. When MLK was assassinated in 1968, I was 22 years old teaching 1st grade in Cairo, GA. I had crossed colored lines - the term used when white teachers taught at colored schools. This was GA’s idea of integration.

When I was interviewed for the job, the white superintendent told me he had to make sure I wasn’t prejudiced against colored children. I told him I taught children and I didn’t care what color they were!

The children came from poor, rural families. I was their first contact with a white person who treated them with dignity. I’ve often wondered if they found others who treated them with dignity.

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