September 24, 2007

Manic Monday: Kit

I wish that there was some sort of kit that would eliminate the part of the human psyche that thinks it is acceptable to discriminate on the basis of race, skin color or nationality. My dad and grandparents used to tell stories about lynchings and nooses. Now, here I am in 2007 explaining to my children the meaning of nooses being hung in Louisiana, Maryland and North Carolina.

I recall the television kit (alright ... he was a CAT, but, I'm trying to use Morgen's Manic Monday word for this week!) known as Felix the Cat. He would reach into his bag of tricks to pull out all sorts of magical stuff. If I had that kit of tricks I would eliminate the Extreme Color Arousal syndrome. As Rodney King once lamented, 'Why can't we all just get along?'.

Villagers, this week we acknowledge the 50 year anniversary of Little Rock Nine ... nine brave youngsters that desegregated Central High School in Little Rock, AR. You would think that our nation would be further along in race relations over the past 50 years. Yet, we have almost daily reminders that we still have a long way to go.

Where is Felix the Cat when you need him?


25 comments:

Ian said...

Just when it seems we've made some real progress, some bozos do something like that and set back race relations fifty years.

Happy MM, and I like the new template!

Ian

Stine said...

Magic shouldn't be needed for such an obvious thing...

Anonymous said...

very interesting post. well said!

maryt/theteach said...

Thanks, Villager, great post, as usual!

Durward Discussion said...

I genuinely believe that things have changed for the better if only because I know how bad it used to be. It's a long way from perfect, but at least when the news reports these events, most people know it is wrong.

the Book of Keira said...

I agree 100%. Changes are being made... but far too slowly if you ask me. I am stunned that such ignorance can still exist with a world so full of intelligent people such as yourself. It's truly disgusting.

Mo and The Purries said...

The fact that we're still talking about current lynchings & nooses in 2007 just makes me sick.
Good post.
Haven't been able to get your blog to load recently, but got it today!
Thanks for participating regularly in Manic Mondays!
cheers,
mo

Gattina said...

I think so too, there is still a long way to go ! The past 50 years show some improvement but certainly not enough.

Sarge Charlie said...

I agree, 'Why can't we all just get along?' As a son of the south in the 40's and 50's I saw the white only bathrooms and water fountains, that is history that cannot be changed. We can do better today but their are agitators on both sides of the fence. These kids were wrong, but the problem should never have reached the point that it did. I think the DA is overdoing his job with the charges filed, but those kids were wrong also. I do believe you and I could work out any problem we might have, Al Sharpton will not solve anything, from my point of view, he just does not understand 'Why can't we all just get along?'...... (I hope I did not offend you)

Anonymous said...

love how you tied your subject matter together. I am too young I guess to remember Felix the cat. What a well written post.

Shelia said...

I know about Felix, he is one of my favorite oldies! I like the analogy because Felix only reached into his bag of tricks to resolve some very difficult situation. And God knows, race relations in this country are indeed a very difficult situation. We could definitely use that magic bag, nothing else has worked.

Desert Songbird said...

Thought-provoking as usual.

katherine. said...

I learned about the Jena Six from you first...and mentioned it to some friends. They expressed disbelief that this was happening in 2007. That was weeks ago.

Not that we don't have our own discrimination issues...but many people in their 20's and 30's in California find the situation incredulous...and ask how and why it is happening...

Lisa Ryan said...

It always will be a problem if parents keep passing down their racist beliefs to their children. it can end with them.

Maggie Moo said...

Indeed, there should be a kit to end racism...

Happy MM...

Mary said...

Wonderfully written. Happy MM!

Linda said...

Some day, hopefully, people will learn that the color of someone's skin has absolutely nothing to do with what lies beneath that skin.

I don't know why we aren't further along than we are, it's just so dismaying to find out that we've barely made any progress it seems.

Have a Happy MM and thank you for your visit.

Sandee said...

Bravo. So few can ruin things for so many. Have a great MM. :)

Unknown said...

Ian - thanx for the kind words on the blog redesign!

Sarge - i'm never offended by candid observations.

All - thanx for participating in our MM post this week. Mo' gave us a tough one!

Anonymous said...

Here kitty kitty kitty...

Since I live in Arkansas, I have heard the story of the Little Rock Nine all of my life.

Great MM post!!!

Sherry Lewis said...

What a great post! The fact that we're talking about nooses and lynchings in a current context is utterly nauseating.

Anonymous said...

wish i could get that kit also.lolz.thanks for dropping by..

Believer said...

I enjoyed watching Felix as a kid. Thanks for taking me back!

Anonymous said...

A great post, Villager, and very good answers. I actually do believe I have the answers to those questions. These answers are very simple, and yet very complex to explain. At least too much to tell in a comment area like this. I plan to write about this very subject one day soon. I will write it as a speech for Toastmasters and will post it on my blog. One day soon....

In the meantime, I recommend you buy and read a book that will also explain it. THE LAW OF ATTRACTION by Esther & Jerry Hicks. I have heard and read this stuff in many places, this book sums it up very nicely. It is the answer to life!!

Anonymous said...

Arf, Whoof. I was here too. Bark!!