This is still a very sensitive issue with a lot of people. I remember, as a little kid in the mid-60's in Mississippi, it was still fighting words to call someone an "N-lover" (much like in my dad's childhood during WW II it was fighting words to call someone a "Dirty Jap"). Even in the 1970's, relations could be strained.
In my opinion, "talking" about racial reconciliation is a bunch of ********. The best way to improve race relations is to offer people something much larger than themselves. That's why racial relations relations have improved things in two places- the military (where the only color that matters is green) and sports. In both places, you put aside any personal, political, and social differences and work to become part of the best team you can be. The church has the potential to do this as well, but there still hasn't been much movement there.
This is a very well documented and researched story. To hear OM students and alums talk about it, it was ALL outsiders that were fighting Marshalls and American troops and all the students were huddled in their dorms. Actually, the outsiders (especially those from Louisiana) were very belligerent, but many of the people throwing bricks at U.S. Marshalls and the American Army were Ole Miss students.
Note: Anybody recognize anyone they know in this pic?
The full story, complete with pics here:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=mississippi62
Video featuring the author of the story:
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/clip?id=3934452&categoryid=null
This thread is sports-related because of how the OM football team was able to fight through all this and have an undefeated season. Also, it shows that Mississippi HAS progressed in those years...often farther than northern States, who didn't confront their racial hatreds and are now struggling with it.
In my opinion, "talking" about racial reconciliation is a bunch of ********. The best way to improve race relations is to offer people something much larger than themselves. That's why racial relations relations have improved things in two places- the military (where the only color that matters is green) and sports. In both places, you put aside any personal, political, and social differences and work to become part of the best team you can be. The church has the potential to do this as well, but there still hasn't been much movement there.
This is a very well documented and researched story. To hear OM students and alums talk about it, it was ALL outsiders that were fighting Marshalls and American troops and all the students were huddled in their dorms. Actually, the outsiders (especially those from Louisiana) were very belligerent, but many of the people throwing bricks at U.S. Marshalls and the American Army were Ole Miss students.
Note: Anybody recognize anyone they know in this pic?
The full story, complete with pics here:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=mississippi62
Video featuring the author of the story:
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/clip?id=3934452&categoryid=null
This thread is sports-related because of how the OM football team was able to fight through all this and have an undefeated season. Also, it shows that Mississippi HAS progressed in those years...often farther than northern States, who didn't confront their racial hatreds and are now struggling with it.
