Open Thread

My brother and I were the only black kids in our school, upstate. Back then, there were only a handful of black folks in a 50 mile radius. We grew up just fine, because we had parents who grounded us in reality. We knew who and what we were, and we knew we were the equal of anyone else, no matter what names we were called, or what petty indignities we suffered for being black. (we were Negroes then.) We also did fine, because by and large, no one really cared what we were. We were accepted in the community, my parents had friends, and belonged to community groups, we were active in our church and school, and my Dad was a scout leader. My brother was very popular in school, and I was as popular as any overweight nerdy kid with glasses whose mother teaches in the same school can hope to be. (as in total social disaster) The only kids who gave us grief were the po’ white trash family that lived by the town dump. They had about 10 stairstep kids, most of whom did horribly in school, and were little disturbed monsters. The family had issues, but needed to feel superior to someone, so we were target du jour. But after a few years, they got bored tormenting us, and life went on.

Long story long, being a minority has its problems, sure, but I would not let that deter me from moving wherever I wanted, or doing whatever I wanted. Most people are decent, if not more so, and often education, that is living with different people, different cultures, etc, will overcome ignorant expectations 90% of the time. We all are united in just wanting to live in peace, work, and take care of our families and selves.

“Maybe I’ll rent Rocky to get myself pumped up.”

Or just read “The Little Engine That Could”. Snort!
(I think I can, I think I can…!)

You don’t need Rocky. Just read the BH blog – sex, violence & all kinds of stimulation.

Was planning to take son to Europe mid April for 10 days…and am shocked at prices! More than double what I paid to go to Rome in ’09 same time…$1000+ to London, over that other places. Can airfares have really gone up so much or am I missing something? Anyone have ideas as to a cheaper place to fly to in Europe?