The sticky issue of race and crime has been around forever. Racism has been around forever. There is always some statistic out about percentage of a certain race in jail v the overall population, the percantage of crimes among different groups, you name it. Most people want racism to end. Yet, many polls show that racism is still very prevalent among all people and I've seen it admitted on these boards. The use of the "AA" to represent African Americans has been used on this board many times without a negative connotation. But God forbid someone says that she is starting to feel racist thoughts, doesn't like them, and wants to change them!! How dare she admit it!!
If you want to change someone's mind to your way of thinking, calling them names isn't the way to do it. Instead of bashing the OP, her honesty and desire to change should be appreciated.
Note, before this post is taken out of context: I did NOT say we should love what she said. I did NOT say I like what she said. I did NOT say that racism is the way to go. I did NOT say that I like or agree with how the OP feels. What I am saying is that the OP need to be able to talk through this issue in order to resolve it.
The first thing necessary to change is to acknowledge that there is a problem. The OP has done that. We should not be afraid to talk about racism. we should encourage people to look inside themselves, examine any racist beliefs, and work towards eliminating them. How is the OP supposed to work through her fears if she is in fear of talking about them?
Shaming and insulting someone who wants to change will do nothing to help. All it will teach them is to keep their feelings quiet. If they stay quiet and disengage from the issue, they won't ever work towards a change.
"Race is the great taboo in our society. We are afraid to talk about it. White folks fear their unspoken views will be deemed racist. People of color are filled with sorrow and rage at unrighted wrongs. Drowning in silence, we are brothers and sisters drowning each other. Once we decide to transform ourselves from fearful caterpillars into courageous butterflies, we will be able to bridge the racial gulf and move forward together towards a bright and colorful future." -- Eva Paterson
I hesitated to post this, because I know that somehow, it will get twisted into MarynJoe thinks the OP is right, loves hate speech, and racism is awesome, but I just had to say it.
I do! My stepmom and all my cousins aunts and uncles live there. Where are you?
Manchester... Originally from St. Charles (no need to apologize, really, it wasn't as bad as it sounds...), then lived in Washington MO for a few years, and now here and loving it.
I grew up in Manchester. Live in South City now. To dissect the cause of such racism in STL would take hours. I see it all.the.time. I take a lot of pride in South City. We have our issues, but raising my children in a diverse area is important to me.
No she didn't, but the story of some girl shot in the neck in the middle of they day sounds like the Megan Boken story and they had the suspects in custody today.
The public schools suck, as we all know. There are a lot of great private or charter options. My parents live in Tower Grove, it's a nice area but I have to be honest I demanded they quit taking night walks with the "knockout game" targeting older people in the neighborhood. They love being so close to everything on South Grand.
Are you familiar with Holly Hills, it is a really nice area with a lot of young families. I love the houses in the neighborhood, a beautiful mix of art deco and ginger bread houses. I dream of owning one on Holly Hills facing the park. It'll never happen but a girl can dream!