Originally posted by vxkween
I'll have to say that I too believe that racism is alive and well in many parts of the country...although it seems more pronounced in the South.
Jimbo and I were discussing the possibility of a racist southern STATE rolling back civil rights for minorities - not debating whether there are racist individuals WITHIN those states. I personally don't think the south is more racist than any other part of the country - but then maybe I'm just lucky in who I've been privileged to be associated with - starting with my non-racist parents of course. That always helps.

Maybe southerners are just too open and honest. Maybe there's racism in northern states but Yankees are just more subtle and sneaky about it.

Whatever the case, I'm 99.44% sure you won't find enough racists in any Southern state for a rollback of minority rights to happen though - but I also don't think there's anywhere in the WORLD you won't find racist INDIVIDUALS. People who look down on others have always existed and always will. Sad but true! I bet you could even find a few racists in the "blue" states! You might even find one wearing one of those buttons that says "Dear Blue States, to be honest, we DO look down on you."


What is unfortunate about "if you don't like it then leave" is that it narrows down the choices dramatically! For instance, my partner and I have been planning to buy 50 or so acres outside the Asheville area for our retirement. That area of NC is very progressive and diverse, but the state itself not so tolerant and I really don't foresee North Carolina passing legislation permitting gay marriages or for that matter civil unions in the near future. So we are presented with the choice of moving to Connecticut, Massachusetts, California, and probably Oregon - do you think that's fair?
I hate to say this but - yes, I DO think it's fair. As much as I would love to see you and your partner move to NC*, I don't think it's fair for anyone to force their views/lifestyle on a general populace that obviously isn't ready for it. That may sound harsh but just try to see the issue from their point of view. You say it narrows down your choices - but what about their choices? Their whole life may be based on traditions and values that have been the norm for thousands of years - and they want to raise their kids the same way they were raised - with the same traditional values. They don't want to go out to a restaurant and have to explain to little Johhny why there are two men making out in the booth in the corner. Are you saying their values don't matter but yours do? Sorry but that's why I like state's rights instead of the Federal one-size-fits-all solution. We won't ALL get EXACTLY what we want but by golly there's enough variability in the states that you should be able to pursue a reasonable amount of life, liberty and happiness however you define it. Northern Cali ain't bad - Oregon either! You gotta love this country, eh?

BTW, I hope you decide on A-ville. You won't have one bit of a problem anywhere in NC - we are more "progressive" than you might think. Damn, I hate buzzwords and now I'm using that one too. Politically speaking (and I guess that's what this thread is all about) Eastern counties lean Dem, and western NC leans Republican. The west, however is populated by mountain people - Scots-Irish mostly - and although they are generally conservative, mountain people are the most "live-and-let-live" people you will ever meet. They aren't the type to talk about tolerance and then turn around and show no tolerance for those they think are intolerant (!) - they EMBODY tolerance.

Check out this recent Parade article and you'll get a feel for the WNC native's mindset:

http://archive.parade.com/2004/1003/...ots_irish.html

*Mostly because I've got a bunch of old tires I need to get rid of. (jk - i'd really like to see that house)