quote:

Originally posted by Biscuit In your Grill:
If I were to generalize the historical (and in many areas, unfortunately, continuing) relationship between blacks and whites in Alabama, it would be this:

If a white person were lying in the middle of the street choking and a black person saw him, the black person would just keep walking.

If a black person were lying in the middle of the street choking and a white person saw him, the white person would wait to make sure he's dead.

I already know that's going to p*ss some of you off royally, and no, that does not apply to everyone-- I already said it was a generalization. Moreover, it's all about perspective. Many, but not all, black people from Alabama (and the rest of the country, for that matter) would agree with me. Many, but not all, white people from Alabama (and the rest of the country, for that matter) would disagree with me. But when I go home, not much has changed racially since 1977-- the year Aliceville's public schools seemingly went from a 50-50 mix to 99% black overnight (really it was from May to August, but since on the last day of school my class was mixed, yet on the very next day of school it wasn't, it did seem to be kind of instantaneous).

quote:

Originally posted by Biscuit In your Grill:
If I were to generalize the historical (and in many areas, unfortunately, continuing) relationship between blacks and whites in Alabama, it would be this:

If a white person were lying in the middle of the street choking and a black person saw him, the black person would just keep walking.

If a black person were lying in the middle of the street choking and a white person saw him, the white person would wait to make sure he's dead.

I already know that's going to p*ss some of you off royally, and no, that does not apply to everyone-- I already said it was a generalization. Moreover, it's all about perspective. Many, but not all, black people from Alabama (and the rest of the country, for that matter) would agree with me. Many, but not all, white people from Alabama (and the rest of the country, for that matter) would disagree with me. But when I go home, not much has changed racially since 1977-- the year Aliceville's public schools seemingly went from a 50-50 mix to 99% black overnight (really it was from May to August, but since on the last day of school my class was mixed, yet on the very next day of school it wasn't, it did seem to be kind of instantaneous).

quote:

Originally posted by �T R E Y�:

quote:

Originally posted by Biscuit In your Grill:
If I were to generalize the historical (and in many areas, unfortunately, continuing) relationship between blacks and whites in Alabama, it would be this:

If a white person were lying in the middle of the street choking and a black person saw him, the black person would just keep walking.

If a black person were lying in the middle of the street choking and a white person saw him, the white person would wait to make sure he's dead.

I already know that's going to p*ss some of you off royally, and no, that does not apply to everyone-- I already said it was a generalization. Moreover, it's all about perspective. Many, but not all, black people from Alabama (and the rest of the country, for that matter) would agree with me. Many, but not all, white people from Alabama (and the rest of the country, for that matter) would disagree with me. But when I go home, not much has changed racially since 1977-- the year Aliceville's public schools seemingly went from a 50-50 mix to 99% black overnight (really it was from May to August, but since on the last day of school my class was mixed, yet on the very next day of school it wasn't, it did seem to be kind of instantaneous).

I tend to agree with you but it is so hard for me to fathom as I would always help someone in that situation no matter who it may be.

quote:

Originally posted by Biscuit In your Grill:
I remember a really thought-provoking episode of "The Jeffersons" in which George Jefferson performs CPR on a white man who has made it known that he is an absolute racist. He and George had butted heads several times during this particular episode, but when the guy starts having a heart attack, George doesn't hesitate in trying to save him. Now keep in mind that George Jefferson was known for talking about "honkies" and "the man" keeping him down (even as his business prospered). When the racist comes back to, his wife (I think) tells him that George saved his life. The racist's response? "I would rather have died." The show was taped in front of a live studio audience, and you hear a black lady's voice ring out, "He should have let you." That was one of those moments that can't be planned.

quote:

Originally posted by yeswecan:

quote:

Originally posted by Biscuit In your Grill:
I remember a really thought-provoking episode of "The Jeffersons" in which George Jefferson performs CPR on a white man who has made it known that he is an absolute racist. He and George had butted heads several times during this particular episode, but when the guy starts having a heart attack, George doesn't hesitate in trying to save him. Now keep in mind that George Jefferson was known for talking about "honkies" and "the man" keeping him down (even as his business prospered). When the racist comes back to, his wife (I think) tells him that George saved his life. The racist's response? "I would rather have died." The show was taped in front of a live studio audience, and you hear a black lady's voice ring out, "He should have let you." That was one of those moments that can't be planned.

It is very telling when you call the white guy a racist but yet only speak lightly of George's pet names for white people and his views on white oppression. Couldn't force yourself to call the black guy a racist could you?

quote:

Originally posted by yeswecan:

quote:

Originally posted by Biscuit In your Grill:
I remember a really thought-provoking episode of "The Jeffersons" in which George Jefferson performs CPR on a white man who has made it known that he is an absolute racist. He and George had butted heads several times during this particular episode, but when the guy starts having a heart attack, George doesn't hesitate in trying to save him. Now keep in mind that George Jefferson was known for talking about "honkies" and "the man" keeping him down (even as his business prospered). When the racist comes back to, his wife (I think) tells him that George saved his life. The racist's response? "I would rather have died." The show was taped in front of a live studio audience, and you hear a black lady's voice ring out, "He should have let you." That was one of those moments that can't be planned.

It is very telling when you call the white guy a racist but yet only speak lightly of George's pet names for white people and his views on white oppression. Couldn't force yourself to call the black guy a racist could you?

quote:

Originally posted by Biscuit In your Grill:

quote:

Originally posted by �T R E Y�:

quote:

Originally posted by Biscuit In your Grill:
If I were to generalize the historical (and in many areas, unfortunately, continuing) relationship between blacks and whites in Alabama, it would be this:

If a white person were lying in the middle of the street choking and a black person saw him, the black person would just keep walking.

If a black person were lying in the middle of the street choking and a white person saw him, the white person would wait to make sure he's dead.

I already know that's going to p*ss some of you off royally, and no, that does not apply to everyone-- I already said it was a generalization. Moreover, it's all about perspective. Many, but not all, black people from Alabama (and the rest of the country, for that matter) would agree with me. Many, but not all, white people from Alabama (and the rest of the country, for that matter) would disagree with me. But when I go home, not much has changed racially since 1977-- the year Aliceville's public schools seemingly went from a 50-50 mix to 99% black overnight (really it was from May to August, but since on the last day of school my class was mixed, yet on the very next day of school it wasn't, it did seem to be kind of instantaneous).

I tend to agree with you but it is so hard for me to fathom as I would always help someone in that situation no matter who it may be.

I remember a really thought-provoking episode of "The Jeffersons" in which George Jefferson performs CPR on a white man who has made it known that he is an absolute racist. He and George had butted heads several times during this particular episode, but when the guy starts having a heart attack, George doesn't hesitate in trying to save him. Now keep in mind that George Jefferson was known for talking about "honkies" and "the man" keeping him down (even as his business prospered). When the racist comes back to, his wife (I think) tells him that George saved his life. The racist's response? "I would rather have died." The show was taped in front of a live studio audience, and you hear a black lady's voice ring out, "He should have let you." That was one of those moments that can't be planned.

quote:

Originally posted by �T R E Y�:

Maybe it's because the white guy made it known, as mentioned by BIG, during the show that he was an "absolute racist" something that George never did.

quote:

Originally posted by mhward518:

quote:

Originally posted by Biscuit In your Grill:

quote:

Originally posted by �T R E Y�:

quote:

Originally posted by Biscuit In your Grill:
If I were to generalize the historical (and in many areas, unfortunately, continuing) relationship between blacks and whites in Alabama, it would be this:

If a white person were lying in the middle of the street choking and a black person saw him, the black person would just keep walking.

If a black person were lying in the middle of the street choking and a white person saw him, the white person would wait to make sure he's dead.

I already know that's going to p*ss some of you off royally, and no, that does not apply to everyone-- I already said it was a generalization. Moreover, it's all about perspective. Many, but not all, black people from Alabama (and the rest of the country, for that matter) would agree with me. Many, but not all, white people from Alabama (and the rest of the country, for that matter) would disagree with me. But when I go home, not much has changed racially since 1977-- the year Aliceville's public schools seemingly went from a 50-50 mix to 99% black overnight (really it was from May to August, but since on the last day of school my class was mixed, yet on the very next day of school it wasn't, it did seem to be kind of instantaneous).

I tend to agree with you but it is so hard for me to fathom as I would always help someone in that situation no matter who it may be.

I remember a really thought-provoking episode of "The Jeffersons" in which George Jefferson performs CPR on a white man who has made it known that he is an absolute racist. He and George had butted heads several times during this particular episode, but when the guy starts having a heart attack, George doesn't hesitate in trying to save him. Now keep in mind that George Jefferson was known for talking about "honkies" and "the man" keeping him down (even as his business prospered). When the racist comes back to, his wife (I think) tells him that George saved his life. The racist's response? "I would rather have died." The show was taped in front of a live studio audience, and you hear a black lady's voice ring out, "He should have let you." That was one of those moments that can't be planned.

How could you tell it was a BLACK lady's voice? Y'all may all look alike, but you don't sound alike. Maybe you wanted it to be so your story would be better.

quote:

Originally posted by �T R E Y�:

quote:

Originally posted by yeswecan:

quote:

Originally posted by Biscuit In your Grill:
I remember a really thought-provoking episode of "The Jeffersons" in which George Jefferson performs CPR on a white man who has made it known that he is an absolute racist. He and George had butted heads several times during this particular episode, but when the guy starts having a heart attack, George doesn't hesitate in trying to save him. Now keep in mind that George Jefferson was known for talking about "honkies" and "the man" keeping him down (even as his business prospered). When the racist comes back to, his wife (I think) tells him that George saved his life. The racist's response? "I would rather have died." The show was taped in front of a live studio audience, and you hear a black lady's voice ring out, "He should have let you." That was one of those moments that can't be planned.

It is very telling when you call the white guy a racist but yet only speak lightly of George's pet names for white people and his views on white oppression. Couldn't force yourself to call the black guy a racist could you?

Maybe it's because the white guy made it known, as mentioned by BIG, during the show that he was an "absolute racist" something that George never did.

quote:

Originally posted by Biscuit In your Grill:
In fact, one of the undercurrents of the show was that neither George Jefferson nor Archie Bunker ever thought of himself as racist. Either character would have called himself a "realist." The ability to frame racial and social issues through the eyes of two such unapologetic yet endearing characters was part of Norman Lear's genius.

quote:

Originally posted by yeswecan:

quote:

Originally posted by Biscuit In your Grill:
In fact, one of the undercurrents of the show was that neither George Jefferson nor Archie Bunker ever thought of himself as racist. Either character would have called himself a "realist." The ability to frame racial and social issues through the eyes of two such unapologetic yet endearing characters was part of Norman Lear's genius.

Don't you get dizzy with all that spinning?

I'm sure Huey Newton thought of himself as a "realist" too.

quote:

Originally posted by Biscuit In your Grill:
So all this time you thought George Jefferson and Archie Bunker were real people, and not characters in sitcoms acting out lines written by someone else? Must have, if you're comparing them to Huey. That's pretty darn sad there...