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Intershame On: Activists in Paris, Texas |
Intolerance in The Lone Star State
07/23/2009
Sometimes I think Texas wishes it would always be 1935.
When I was little, my parents took me to see "Mississippi Burning" at the movie theater in the "black" part of town. At the time I didn't understand why we trekked 30 minutes out of our way when we had a movie theater 2 minutes from our house and when we got to the theater, I openly questioned my parents decision. It was jam packed. The movie theater we went to was never that crowded. I became even more confused when the movie started and people were talking... and getting upset... and actually walking out of the theater.
My parents never said exactly why they took me to that theater to see that movie, but it became obvious to me when I was older. I was given the opportunity to see how people I didn't normally associate with felt about a situation I didn't fully appreciate.
That experience changed me. I felt empathy for people with a culture I previously knew little about.
Which brings me to today's Intershame and a group of people who obviously weren't fortunate enough to have an experience like I did.
Each and every time I witness evidence that bigotry and intolerance still run rampant in my country I wonder the same thing... How many generations is it going to take before we get past this shit?
When I was little, my parents took me to see "Mississippi Burning" at the movie theater in the "black" part of town. At the time I didn't understand why we trekked 30 minutes out of our way when we had a movie theater 2 minutes from our house and when we got to the theater, I openly questioned my parents decision. It was jam packed. The movie theater we went to was never that crowded. I became even more confused when the movie started and people were talking... and getting upset... and actually walking out of the theater.
My parents never said exactly why they took me to that theater to see that movie, but it became obvious to me when I was older. I was given the opportunity to see how people I didn't normally associate with felt about a situation I didn't fully appreciate.
That experience changed me. I felt empathy for people with a culture I previously knew little about.
Which brings me to today's Intershame and a group of people who obviously weren't fortunate enough to have an experience like I did.
Each and every time I witness evidence that bigotry and intolerance still run rampant in my country I wonder the same thing... How many generations is it going to take before we get past this shit?
Comments
- 1025 days agoI grew up right outside of this town, and I have to tell you, the intolerance that you see in this video is nothing compared to what you hear as a white boy growing up in the area, surrounded by small minded bigoted idiots. Thankfully I moved away when I went to college, and have only been back to visit since.
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