We didn't hang that flag, say fraternity/Greenville, NC

[shinerbock]

I'm sorry, but every town I've ever been in had an MLK street. Not every one had a Washington or a Jefferson street or high school. That being said, MLK wasnt really what I was saying regarding shoving black culture down our throats. Living in Atlanta, I'll go back to the Maynard Jackson thing. A LOT of people were extremely pissed off about that. I have no problem with an MLK blvd (although most i've been on were kinda scary). Another issue I remember people getting upset about was Rosa Parks lying in state. There are plenty of things, black history month, celebrations of "diversity," etc...that just get annoying for white people. Like blacks, we get really tired of having everything made into a racial issue.

[shinerbock]

PK, the Constitution never said anything about integrating your restaurant, ala, lester maddox.

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I'm sorry, but every town I've ever been in had an MLK street. Not every one had a Washington or a Jefferson street or high school. That being said, MLK wasnt really what I was saying regarding shoving black culture down our throats. Living in Atlanta, I'll go back to the Maynard Jackson thing. A LOT of people were extremely pissed off about that. I have no problem with an MLK blvd (although most i've been on were kinda scary). Another issue I remember people getting upset about was Rosa Parks lying in state. There are plenty of things, black history month, celebrations of "diversity," etc...that just get annoying for white people. Like blacks, we get really tired of having everything made into a racial issue.

Sorry but I really think its people like yourself that makes things into a racial issue. So far in this thread, you have been the only one to bring up personal experiences of what you deem to be "racial issues" of how whites have it so bad. I'm sorry but MLK and other celebrations just don't wash with me and to really use them as examples is sad case of grasping at straws.

I mean, goodness sake, I currently live in Kansas where there is NOTHING remotely close to the word "diverse" here but common sense tells me that it isn't "the white man" shoving his culture down my throat. I could sit here and whine about how Ocktoberfest and Columbus Day parades and claim that they are annoying examples of "white pride" (using your logic) but common sense tells me that isn't the case.

Your real problem seems to be where you live. Hey, if you're looking for something that is more suitable for your taste, come to Kansas.

[shinerbock]

Jessi, that wasn't against you, it was about the original quote. I don't know how to get a partial quote into the little box.

[jessikay1922]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Jessi, that wasn't against you, it was about the original quote. I don't know how to get a partial quote into the little box.

Quote the original poster, and then delete the unwanted portions. Just make sure the Quote/End Quote remains.

[Jimmy Choo]

We can debate the value of the Confederate flag until we all turn purple. If I'm not mistaken there is a fraternity there that actually flies the flag in their front yard. As an ECU alum I think what bothers me more is the street that they are choosing to rename!!! E. 5th St. is a main road through campus. Does anyone know what portion they are looking to rename? E. 5th runs right in front of campus and covers several sorority house and well-known bars. I can't see changing the name of a street with so much history on it.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by ecupidelta

If I'm not mistaken there is a fraternity there that actually flies the flag in their front yard.

I thought Kappa Alpha Order flew that flag because they were founded by Robert E. Lee. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[shinerbock]

Once again, its not MLK as much as other things. Maynard Jackson, in my opinion, was a racist. Against white people. I fully support the black community when they are fighting against real prejudice and when they are also trying to help themselves. For example, that march where black men walk their children to school, great idea. Regarding Kansas, I dunno, I just need to get out of Atlanta.

About the black people flying confederate flags, I think its pretty rare. I've seen it in a few cases, but its the old school small farm black folks who are truly southern and have been in the area for years and years.

[TonyB06]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Once again, its not MLK as much as other things. Maynard Jackson, in my opinion, was a racist. Against white people. I fully support the black community when they are fighting against real prejudice and when they are also trying to help themselves. For example, that march where black men walk their children to school, great idea. Regarding Kansas, I dunno, I just need to get out of Atlanta.

Shinerbock,
can you offer anything, specifically, that Maynard Jackson did to be labeled a racist in your opinion? ...specifically.

Maynard Jackson was an esteemed and well-loved fraternity brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., whose work on this earth did much to advance Atlanta as a city and the south as a region.

to those who did not know of Bro. Jackson's accomplishments and care for an unbiased view, read on:

Maynard Holbrook Jackson, Jr. (March 23, 1938 – June 23, 2003) was an American politician, a member of the Democratic Party, and the first African-American mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He served three terms, two consecutive terms from 1974 until 1982 and a third term from 1990 to 1994.

Jackson graduated from Morehouse College in 1956 when he was only eighteen. After attending Boston University law school for a short time, he held several jobs, including selling encyclopedias, before attending the North Carolina Central University law school, graduating in 1964.

He helped rebuild Hartsfield International Airport to modern standards, which was renamed Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in his honor shortly after his death. He was also mayor when MARTA began rapid transit service in Atlanta, and when Atlanta won as host of the 1996 Centennial Summer Olympics in September 1990. His term as mayor also coincided with the Atlanta Child Murders case, in which he played a prominent role.

He died of cardiac arrest at an Arlington, Virginia hospital after suffering a heart attack at Reagan National Airport in June 2003. He is buried on commons ground at Oakland Cemetery, on a plot dedicated by the City of Atlanta.

Jackson was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans.

[FATALlady357]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

Shinerbock,
can you offer anything, specifically, that Maynard Jackson did to be labeled a racist in your opinion? ...specifically.

Maynard Jackson was an esteemed and well-loved fraternity brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., whose work on this earth did much to advance Atlanta as a city and the south as a region.

to those who did not know of Bro. Jackson's accomplishments and care for an unbiased view, read on:

Maynard Holbrook Jackson, Jr. (March 23, 1938 – June 23, 2003) was an American politician, a member of the Democratic Party, and the first African-American mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He served three terms, two consecutive terms from 1974 until 1982 and a third term from 1990 to 1994.

Jackson graduated from Morehouse College in 1956 when he was only eighteen. After attending Boston University law school for a short time, he held several jobs, including selling encyclopedias, before attending the North Carolina Central University law school, graduating in 1964.

He helped rebuild Hartsfield International Airport to modern standards, which was renamed Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in his honor shortly after his death. He was also mayor when MARTA began rapid transit service in Atlanta, and when Atlanta won as host of the 1996 Centennial Summer Olympics in September 1990. His term as mayor also coincided with the Atlanta Child Murders case, in which he played a prominent role.

He died of cardiac arrest at an Arlington, Virginia hospital after suffering a heart attack at Reagan National Airport in June 2003. He is buried on commons ground at Oakland Cemetery, on a plot dedicated by the City of Atlanta.

Jackson was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans.

Bro. Jackson was also a Prince Hall Mason as was his grandfather PGM John Wesley Dobbs...

It sounds to me that the young man who is trying to paint Bro. Jackson as a racist and wants to 'get out of Atlanta' just does not like the 'diversity' Atlanta has to offer.

[shinerbock]

I came back just in time. I'm not painting Jackson as anything. Was he racist? I have no idea. Did he do things that many considered racist? Yes.

Heres my take on Jackson: He pushed so hard against the Lester Maddox's of the world, that he pursued his goals beyond equality. I think he wanted black people to control Atlanta, and for black businesses to be the most successful in Atlanta. Unfortunately, while fighting whatever inequality was left behind following the civil rights era, he and others refused to notice what was happening to the city, and refused to blame the black community for many of the problems.

He probably did some good things for Atlanta, but he also did some pretty bad things as well. Thus, many people were upset by tacking his name onto Hartsfield Airport.

*Another note, about the confederate flag...I, and most everyone I know, would think a black guy flying the confederate flag was awesome. Not because it is a novelty thing, but rather because here is somebody, who although a different race, believes in and takes pride in our (and likely his) southern heritage. Obviously people do fly it for racist reasons, but I think if it were generally a race thing, white people would be upset at blacks flying it. People need to realize that just because individuals or groups protest or dislike things that are involved in black culture does not make them racist.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I came back just in time. I'm not painting Jackson as anything. Was he racist? I have no idea. Did he do things that many considered racist? Yes.

Heres my take on Jackson: He pushed so hard against the Lester Maddox's of the world, that he pursued his goals beyond equality. I think he wanted black people to control Atlanta, and for black businesses to be the most successful in Atlanta. Unfortunately, while fighting whatever inequality was left behind following the civil rights era, he and others refused to notice what was happening to the city, and refused to blame the black community for many of the problems.

He probably did some good things for Atlanta, but he also did some pretty bad things as well. Thus, many people were upset by tacking his name onto Hartsfield Airport.

So where's the racism? It reads like he wanted to challenge the status quo and empower a community of people that had been in disproportionate poverty, underemployment, and poor education. One city in this country where blacks are successful business owners and are advancing hardly constitutes a system of racism (including actions and ideologies) where thousands to millions of people are given unequal life chances. Whites weren't given the short end of the stick in all of this--the playing field was just leveled.

You said "racist"--but now you all backtracking and saying he did things that "many" considered "racist." I hate it when people throw catch phrases and terms around and have absolutely no basis for it.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I'm sorry, but every town I've ever been in had an MLK street.

And that street is usually in a majority Black neighborhood / area. Which, you say you avoid, so why are you complaining?

Not every one had a Washington or a Jefferson street or high school.

Ummmm......where have you not been? I can't say that I've been to every city / town in the continental US, Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico, but I feel very confident in saying that of the ones I've been to in the continental US, they do have a Washington / Jefferson street / high school. As a matter of fact, the name of my high school is Washington, for Booker T. Washington.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I'm sorry, but every town I've ever been in had an MLK street. Not every one had a Washington or a Jefferson street or high school.

We have a whole Washington & Jefferson college up here.

Also, Clearfield PA has a Dolly Parton Boulevard (and no, she never visited there). I don't know for sure what statement that is making.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Also, Clearfield PA has a Dolly Parton Boulevard (and no, she never visited there). I don't know for sure what statement that is making.

I believe the statement would be "Our bureaucrats like boobs".