Addressing Racism in Madison
8-28-11 Editorial by John Ovenden
WARNING: Derogatory words will be used in this editorial in witnessed racist quotes.
I am basing this on my 8 ½ years of living in Madison. Until 2009, I had really only observed one side of it. Starting Madison Voice allowed me to interact more with people of all races and income levels. It has allowed me a “middle of the road” perspective. This editorial is primarily about the black and white racial tension I have observed.
My first observation, after being in Madison a few months, was that wherever the white people congregated, black people did not and vice versa. This includes food establishments, stores, and churches. Honestly, in my first months of daily travels, I thought that I was in town with a 99% white population. It did not take long to find out that racial tension was strong here.
Moving ahead to 2009:
Starting Madison Voice put me in many situations that I had never experienced. It gave me a neutral position and allowed me to see both side of many issues. Racism was one of them. Until 2009, I had only heard some middle-aged white men talking bad about black people. I could see that racism was passed down through the generations. Of course, there are always exceptions to everything, but many of Madison’s white people who are now around age 40 and up have experienced racist teachings by their elders. Don’t get defensive if you disagree with this statement. Exclude yourself if you need to, but finish reading this. Some of the people I’ve met seem to have a deep hatred for all black people. They learned this hatred early in life from parents who taught them to think this way. When people have hate in their hearts, it is difficult for them to find the good in other people.
One incident stands out to me from the special County Commissioner’s meeting about the Ten Commandments. While everyone was leaving the meeting, a man who was pushing to have the tablets on the courthouse lawn blurted out a racial slur about a Commissioner. He said, “That nigger is a one-term Commissioner!” He was upset that he didn’t get his way. Three Commissioners voted against it. They weren’t all black.
Another incident that stands out to me occurred while I was pumping gas at a local station one evening. I was just finishing and hanging up the nozzle when I heard a voice say, “Tell that cracker to hurry up.” It came from a little black child that couldn’t have been more than 4 years old. His mother yelled at him to get back in the car and then asked me if I was done yet.
I get called a cracker sometimes when I’m filming arrests. I don’t take it personally and I feel like it is just a passionate response to the situation. The word “cracker” doesn’t have much meaning to me personally.
These are just a few of many incidents that I have experienced. It seems that racism is rampantly being taught to our children, both black and white, in all walks of life.
Whether you think it is right or wrong, racism exists. It is up to each individual to change. I think that pride is in the way. People might be too proud to even try to change. It is easy to get set in one’s ways. After speaking with many people, I don’t think some see a reason for change. It’s like the episode of Andy Griffith with the feud between two neighbors. “Why you shootin’ at him? Because he’s a Wakefield!” They were raised to feud with one another and nobody alive really knew why.
I don’t have an answer to this problem. It is obvious that the way things are going isn’t working.
It’s easy to incorrectly judge an entire group based on the actions of a few. After a while, it can be hard to look for the good in people. What I have observed is that the blind hatred appears to be fading with the older generation. Though children may still hear racist remarks while growing up, they seem to be making their own decisions about racism.
Here’s a comment recently posted on Madison Voice. I think it’s appropriate to wrap this up.
Marion writes:
We could blame our upbringing, our environment, our legal justice system, our parents, our schools, and on and on, but nothing we’ve suffered gives us a free pass to treat each other with hate and cruelty. At some point, people have to stop throwing blame around and be responsible for their own actions. And many of you know what it’s going to take to end the violence and racism and to overcome the things that tear our community apart. We have already been given the solution, both in the larger picture and in every small detail. We have been commanded to love God above all else and to love our neighbors as ourselves. A wise man once said that sometimes the question is complicated but the answer is very simple.
As you travel through life there are always those times when decisions just have to be made,
When choices are hard and solutions seem scarce and the rain seems to soak your parade.
There are some situations when all you can do is to simply let go and move on,
Gather your courage and choose a direction that carries you toward a new dawn.
So, pack up your troubles and take a step forward.
The process of change can be tough.
But, think about all the excitement ahead, if you can be stalwart enough!
There could be adventures you never imagined just waiting around the next bend
And wishes and dreams just about to come true in ways you can’t yet comprehend!
Perhaps you’ll find friendships that spring from new interests as you challege your status quo
And learn there are so many options in life, and so many ways you can grow!
Perhaps you’ll go places you never expected and see things that you’ve never seen,
Or travel to fabulous, far away worlds and wonderful spots in between!
Perhaps you’ll find warmth and caring and affection, a “somebody special” who’s there
To help you stay centered and listen with interest to stories and feelings you share.
Perhaps you’ll find comfort in knowing your friends are supportive of all that you do.
And believe that whatever decisions you make, they’ll be the right choices for you.
So keep putting one foot in front of the other and taking your life day by day.
There’s a brighter tomorrow that’s just down the road. Don’t look back! You’re not going that way!!!!!
.May we all discover what is important in life and life for it without turning back or regret…
The poem by Mother Teresa was right on point. Forgive, Be Kind, Succeed, Be Honest and Frank, Build, Be Happy, Do Good, Give the world your Best, It was never between you and them anyway.
Hatred is learned. Find yourself a new teacher, if the one you have is teaching you to hate!!!
Please put something up in reference to Mr. Michael Logan. Like a funeral? Somewhere where people can send condolence cards? I would think it would be a kind thing to do for the widow for our county to show support in her time of great sadness. I have yet to see an obituary. Yes we know he has passed and we know how, but something tell us a little about the poor man that lost his life and how maybe we can reach out to his widow and family at this time.
John, I enjoy your Editorials and this one is exceptionally well thought and written. Thank You!
I was never raised to believe that one race is superior to another. I was taught that we were all the same inside, complete with feelings and red blood. I only see Two Kinds of People in the World, Male and Female.
Also, I don’t see the beating as a racial thing, I see it more as Man’s Inhumanity To Man, or at least, someone who does not love himself and therefore can not love others…either way, we are a cruel animal!
No one truly knows what happened and if there is a witness that saw/knows all and never stepped in, I think it is sad…however, there is a Fight or Flight Reflex that is real and maybe there was no help that could be given in time, our Bodies are really Fragile Machines. It scares me that this could happen in our own backyard, one hears about things like this on the news everyday!
I am saddened for the Family’s Loss and the Victim wasn’t old, heck- he’s my age and I know we are usually in the last decade of life, but, not always…we still have a lot of living to do and when it is cut short by senseless violence, it is hard to understand!
I received a new magazine in the mail today and saw Mother Teresa’s Poem, Do It Anyway, and thought how we could/should live accordingly and thought I’d share as a reminder and memorial.
Rest In Peace, Mr. Logan!
~Mother Teresa’s Anyway Poem~
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
I am from a college town and I am always amazed at the surprise on a monority’s face when I say “hi”. I want to say that this county is full of very friendly people to me, but they cannot see I am a minority (disabled). I believe the predjudice and hate come from the comitition for rescoures that exists in all small counties with such a limited number of jobs and funding for education. Without hope for the future, many people react negativly. Christ said “love your neighbor as I love you”. He made the ultimate sacrifice. How many of us would be willing to go that far?
I am so pleased to see this article! I have been raised not to judge by color of skin or hair…. Or whatever else someone may judge a person on. I love my very mixed up family and would do anything for anyone in need that I am capable of doing, no matter who they are! I am raising my children not to see the color o the persons skin but the “color” of their heart. And by color of the heart I mean good or evil.
Truth of the matter is we all bleed red! Guess what Madison county I bet when you sit down at night to eat your dinner and say your “Christian” prayers before you consume your meal yes most of you “thank the Lord fr the food” and “God bless the hands that prepared this meal” but Madison has not only black white racial issues….. Because most of them don’t think about the Hispanic people who more than likey picked those veggies they are consuming!
Like I said before I love my mixed up family and thank god everyday for each and every one of them. White, black, mexican
I know this is a sensitive topic to write about and John you are brave to tackle it. I have only lived in Madison for the past 8 years but I am still surprised at the prevalence of racism here. I am not used to seeing discrimination this obvious and “in your face”. It so much worse here than it is anywhere else and it is very sad.
I don’t know if talking about it openly will make much of a noticeable difference but it is nice to see people try. I think that racism begins at home. The biggest impact we can make is to end the cycle. If the older family members are displaying a hatred towards a different race then make a conscious decision to not raise your children with those same beliefs. My parents did this with me and I will do the same for my son. Eventually things will change and when it does the world will be a better place. For some reason Madison, Florida seems to be in a time warp but I have faith that they will catch up.
The amount of commentary in response to this question makes me happy. With Madison being such a rural, Southern, and “home-grown” town, racism is rampant. It’s hard to not encounter one person every day who doesn’t hold at least one prejudiced thought in the back of their mind. Raised in this town, I’ve seen some of the best and some of the worst in people…of both colors. Although I am hardly surprised, it disgusts me that the black-white racial “war” is still an issue in this area. Adults are capable of rational and complex thoughts, and as such should be able to surpass this worn-out way of thinking. However, it can take less than half of a second for a prejudiced thought to enter someone’s mind. It will be impossible to sway the minds of those in this county who were bred into these segregated patterns, but with the younger generation there lies some hope. Keep writing articles like this. You seem to have a level head on your shoulders. I hope you pi** off all the right people. We’ll never make any progress without by avoiding controversy.
Oh and by the way: everyone expects free education. Just try to raise taxes to provide for and improve it, and listen to people howl, even people with kids and grandkids!
Agree 100%. Well said sir.
Again, why does
look like a “smile” here? What the heck is the icon for “frustration and sorrow?”
When “racism” is no longer a topic of discussion, we will have won the battle and fulfilled the dream. One guy beat another guy to death. That is a terrible tragedy for both families and a violation of what I think of as the whole idea of small town Madison where everyone knows everyone and anyone will help or advise you if you need it and nearly everyone claims to be Christian. Of all places, this is the one where who is what race should not matter. Heck, I know one guy is black because I saw his picture in the other paper, but the only way I knew (I guess) there was a racial element to this whole horrible event is that “everyone is talking about it.” Does anybody else besides me wonder why the racial element is so all-fired important?
Just one more thing: claiming that prejudice is universal is a way of justifying that which should not be justified. Most sins can be justified in a similar way, leaving the sinner in a nice comfortable self-satisfied state of hopelessness that does not require any change of behavior or thinking. It’s weak. Just because “everyone does it” (if everyone even does) does not make it right. Just because “someone did it to me” does not give you the right to do it someone else. The words are “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” not “do unto others as they have done unto you” or “do unto others as you expect they might do unto you and you have to get them first, by God.”
Morgan Freeman had a novel thought regarding racism and how to combat it….”I am going to stop calling you a white man and I’m going to ask you to stop calling me a black man”
There is an idea…stop talking about race and racism will end eventually.
Prejudices will never end though. There will always be someone in the world that is different. Different skin, different hair, different religion, it doesn’t matter. As long as there are different people in the world, there will be bullies who think that being different is wrong and inferior.
Thank you for highlighting both sides of the issue, because it is most certainly a two way street.
Hey John, I must say that I totally agree with your article!! I too an not racist. I am a single parent who works hard for the things I am able to give my son. I am currently enrolled in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program @ Keiser University in Tallahassee in which I drove there everyday to further my education as well as to make an advancement in my career. I have learned to work hard for everything I get and not just be another statistic. I became pregnant with my son at the age of 16, gave birth @ 17 and have been hard @ it since. I vowed to myself that it was my duty to do so. I am a Black American who is now 25 years old. I choose not to discriminate against one based on the color of their skin. That to me is downright ignorant. Some of my best friends are white. Place a any color before me and I guaranteed to make them feel welcomed to this community because I am a people person who was born “color blind”!!! People have to get off their tails and want more in life and stop blaming things on the other race black, white, Hispanic..etc. People should start coming together. All the bad things that are happening in the world should be signs. Get your mind off racism and prepare yourself for thx Lord. There is warning before destruction. And remember… Jesus doesn’t discriminate against us he loves all his children #Jesus loves the children of the world: red, yellow, black and white. They are precious in his sight. Yes Jesus loves me!!!!!!
This is truly a great piece, John. I think you do an impeccable job remaining neutral in situations where it would be very difficult for the average person to do so.
I think it’s pretty funny that so many people tolerate openly made racial slurs/remarks to be said in their presence without taking a stand or at the very least admitting to finding it offensive. I was watching a documentary about 9/11 last night and the remarks made by the perpetrators of that horrific day are really, if you stop and think about it, no different than the radical racial statements made every day by some members of this community. Racism, in any format, is a form of terrorism. Plain and simple. You don’t have to be flying planes into buildings or setting bombs off on trains to be a terrorist. It starts small. Terrorism is nothing more than bits of hatred manifested outwardly in the effort to place fear in the hearts/minds of others of a certain race, religion, culture, gender, or sexual orientation. What more is racism than an effort to do the same, though it is not always shown in an outward manner? It is up to all of us to take a stand against this hatred. You would never allow someone to talk about committing an attack against American’s in your presence, so why allow someone to ignorantly desecrate a whole group of people based on the actions of a few? Breeding hatred is like dropping a pebble into water- one incident is a chain reaction to another,only larger and more impactful. We can’t control the actions of others, but we can control our reactions to them. Don’t forget- love works in the same way as does hatred. Drop a pebble and see what happens…
This hits close to home for me. My father was a victim of a brutal beating that left him severely brain damaged. He was beat by 2 men with a crow bar while working at the old union 76 station in Madison.
Racism did not beat my father almost to death, Racism did not cause my dad’s brain damage and many years of rehabilitation.
Racism is unnecessary.
I think this is the greatest, well stated description of racism in our town that I have ever heard and/or read! I agree that it is something about the way people speak around their children and the behaviors that they demonstrate to their children. The phrase, “do as I say, not as I do,” is not a well thought out phrase when you drag in racism. I was raised in a pretty high racist environment growing up in this community however I have to say that I do not see color as a divider in my life nor in my family. I see it out there but I ignore it because my children will not be involved in the hatred of racism in this community. I also agree that Madison is divided as if segregation never occured. After going 6 ft into the ground, we have no skin to determine what slang to be called which makes us all equal, not divided by race. The entire posting was to inform the public of a tragic death of someone’s father, grandfather, husband, brother and/or friend and it’s just sad to see that it was turned into a white/black issue of who has a job & who lives off the government. My prayers go out to Mr. Michael Logan’s family as well as to those that need the prayers to overcome their hatred racism that they so ignorantly pass down to their children’s children’s children….
If Voice coverage and readers’ comments were about the abandoned houses and barns around the county, the conclusion would be that the county has been abandoned by the population. As for racial slurs, it will be a great day when nobody asks a tall girl `How’s the weather up there?’ Or nobody assumes a Southern accent means ignorance or stupidity. Or the local language drops insulting terms, including sewer slang.
I grew up here, returned after forty years, and readily state that the way our separate cultures
relate to each other is the least of our worries in Madison County. The county economic boat never floated consistently. Current survival mode at most income levels is from government funding (Social Security, state or federal retirement sources, welfare, federal and state grants, state and county jobs), and most people now accept that our national government is broke. State actions to balance the budget are fought in court. It will be years before our state or national economy recovers to a comfort level.
Every skin color in Madison County should be focused on managing through hard times, in case a return to days of working for food only is our future.
Race isn’t real. It’s an outdated anthropological classification found unuseful by science.
Culture is real. Sub-cultures are real. Both the white and black sub-cultures in Madison are dumb. They both use the silly classification of race to gain numbers for their respective mobs so they can force their own cultural norms down the throats of everyone else.
Black people need white people to be secretly plotting to make all black people slaves.
White people in Madison need black people to be ignorant savages intent on taking their jobs and women.
Both use politics to further their own gains. Both are violent expressions of ignorance in action.
Solution: Stop being stupid. Race isn’t real.
Attn: black people and white people in Madison. You’re dumb. You didn’t earn your skin color.
There is alot that has been said that I agree with here. The fact is, an innocent man died for no reason and thats why we are all upset. Why would someone want to beat another person to death for no reason is beyond my comprehension and I’m thankful for that. I don’t care if you are black or white, everyone should be upset that this happened. We have to keep our emotions to ourselves and let our justice system take care of this situation. I have many friends that are of another race. Good people come from all races and so do bad ones. If you act respectable and responsible and treat other people with respect, I think you will be respected in return. Be self sufficient. Get a job. Don’t expect someone to give you something for nothing,regardless of what color you are. The main concern we should have here is for the victims family. Our thoughts and prayers should be for them. The color of any ones skin should not be an issue here. We all need to move on with our lives and let justice prevail.
John, your article is great and I want to say thank you. As a citizen of Madison County Florida, I pledge to help make a difference. I hope that we can one day have a big public worship day let’s get to know each other. Think positive and for good, it out way the bad. Thanks again .
Am I a prejudiced person? Yes. Is John a prejudiced person? Yes. All humans have a prejudice against something or someone. Anyone who says they have no prejudice is probably more politically correct than me. First off to say this issue has never been dealt with before, John, is a mistake on your part. You were not here in Madison with the beginning of intergration. I was sent by bus to Madison Middle School from the Madison Primary School. We spent our days in the classrooms there, while armed guards walked the halls and corridors. It ABSOLUTELY does not matter to me if you are pink, purple, red, or dotted. I was raised in a working family. I watched my daddy work 7 days a week to provide for his family. If the one job he had did not pay the bills, then he added another job. He left home before sun up to go to the “log woods” and would come home late at night. Were we poor? Yes. Did my daddy ever expect or think he deserved anything from the government? No. My daddy said his reward for working hard was a paycheck. My prejudice is for people of any color who expects free housing, free food, free medical care, free phones, free education, etc and never takes responsibility for their own life. It always seems to be blamed on others. My prejudice is against those who THINK everything is free. Nothing is free. It may not cost some recepients but it is not free. A life has been lost in our community due to violence. Maybe you could do a story on the man beaten to death and his grieving family.
John,
Thank you for printing this! It is profound truth! I have lived in this area all of my life, but visited many other areas. I am amazed at the prejudice we have here, and disgusted by it. I am married to a person of another race, and have beautiful children that deserve to be loved and accepted because of who they are, and not be judged based on their appearance. I love my spouse and think that it is obsurd to think that I should be seperate from him based on appearance. There is but one race on earth, the human race! God created Adam and Eve and from them all the nations of the earth came. People were divided at the tower of Babel so they could populate the earth, not despise one another based on the color of their skin. We should never have to appologize for loving people, after all that is the greatest commandment. Yet because we live in a fallen sin filled world many think hate more preferable to love. People that dare to go beyond the norm, beyond the surface of things, and love someone not like themselves, are more Christ like.
@the peasant,
http://www.city-data.com is a site I use quite regular. It’s a plethora of information.
@Greater Madison, Broken Hearted, Another Transplant
I could not agree with you more. Keep in mind, many times, judging of poor character is masked behind the label of racism.
One time here recently I needed to cut from SR14 to CR360 so I went through georgetown road. Having used to ride the school bus through this neighborhood I unfortunately learned to give kindness but not to receive kindness from the younger black folk on the bus. (Lots of times they wouldnt let a white person sit). So anyway back to the topic on hand. I cut through georgetown road recently and waved at every person I came into contact with…. Unfortunately not ONE person waved back…. NOT ONE… They all looked at me like “why is a white man riding through our neighborhood” Sadly… Some even walking along the road, me coming into contact with them, Stopping in place and watching 360 degrees as I drove past and waved (looked in the rearview and they are turned behind me looking square at me like I don’t belong. The point I make here is it takes kindness to receive kindness and evidently lots of the people living in these areas still have some kind of axe to grind. That or they just were not raised to accept white folks. This is saddening!
I think British writer William Hazlitt sums it up pretty well.”Prejudice is the child of ignorance.”
Coming from a “christian community” most of us don’t believe that racism exists. Although I feel that John hit the nail on the head by making it known. Truth is, Madison, Florida has many challenges for the future of our community and while it appears that some of these decisions are being delayed we are not gaining any social values. After I moved to New York for six years for school and returned home I was aware of the poor socialism and incompetent individuals who continue to slur racial and discriminating emotions. This I know existing from both blacks and whites and this behavior just degrades not only their character but those surrounding them, not to mention our community of Madison county. Many attentive subjects of Madison should be addressed. 1- our public school system education status and the concerns of where our students are leading also their protection that may be in jeopardy from both transportation, violence/ drugs, racism and poor socialism also the incompetent of thought out decisions if you will! 2. The law against the legal sale of alcohol. While we hide in shadows and let other countys around us benefit and still the fact of this is we do sale alcohol. In restaurants and convenient stores you can buy the cheap alcoholic beverages of choice. Let’s say wine is to good for Madison and those great restaurants like Olive Garden or Texas Roadhouse will never help the revenues of Madison. The poor socialism and a community that does not look to grow for the sake of our benefits will be to blame given that the county votes does not have a large number at our polls. 3. Madison Voices gives opportunities and although we can all type about it, community meetings will need to be held amongst those who intend to lead Madison in the right direction and not towards a failing society. Perhaps tomorrow will bring together this Greater Madison Voice support group on our very own court house lawn.
A house divided against itself cannot stand whether it wants to or not…. Madison will never thrive so long as there is this vast divide between races. We have to get along for our children and grandchildren.
I am also a “transplant.” I was raised elsewhere and have also lived as an adult in other areas. When I arrived here I was amazed at how I was treated by many older black people. They were not nice. If I spoke they did not respond, if I held a door open for them I was rewarded with a scowl. This was difficult for me because all my life I had friends of all races and nationalities. I did soon realize that this was not how all blacks in Madison treated whites however and have met some good people that I consider friends. On the flip side of that I have met white people of all ages that use the “N” word to describe all blacks. I don’t like that. They have put an entire race of people in a box, labeled them and sealed it closed. There are great people of all races that live here in Madison, but if you close your mind immediately due to the color of their skin then you will never discover that. I have found myself deeply disappointed by both races and the racism they have for each other here in Madison.
I have always felt that if you don’t want to be thought of in a particular way, you should not act that way, this goes for everyone. If you do not want to be thought of as a “hood rat” do not act like one. If you do not want to be thought of as a “dumb redneck” do not act like one. If you have your own beliefs, opinions, dreams, etc then break free of the crowd and be your own person. Just because that is how the people you have chosen to surround your self with act and speak it does not mean that you have to follow. Speak your mind, and maybe it will give someone else the courage to do the same. I have a circle of friends that are very special to me, but I also think for myself and if I do not agree with something said I don’t go with the flow, I disagree. This can sometimes push people away and that is fine. If they can’t handle that you are your own person then they are not the friend you thought they were and probably not the kind of person you want to be around anyway.
If you were raised with racism and hatred that does not mean that is how you have to live your life. There are far too many resources out there for anyone to use ignorance as an excuse any more. “That’s the way it has always been” does not hold water any more. The world keeps moving forward don’t allow your self to be left behind. If a word you use or an action you make causes you to be uncomfortable, gives you pause, or you hesitate beforehand then take a long look at yourself, you may realize that what you have been told or how you were raised may not be how you actually feel in your own heart. That may be your heart telling you there is a different way to think and feel and it is time to explore that.
Thanks soo much John for taking the time to write this. I hope it will make people stop and think for a change. Besides, we are all the same color inside.
Does anyone know where the term CRACKER came from? Its actually not racist, or offensive at all! It orignated back in the early days of florida, when cattle was about the only business going here. The cowboys back then would herd there cattle and “crack” there whips in order to keep there cattle grouped. Therefore, to people who did not know who they were, they became known as cracker boys. They were always cracking there whips. It was not taken offensive at all and I believe it still should not. Its 90% of Madisons old heritage, whether they know or not!
John,
Thanks for sharing your first hand experience regarding this sensitive subject. Interesting that your editorial is published on the same date The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is scheduled to be unveiled in downtown D.C. The 48th anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/164128/373/Rep-John-Lewis-Reflects-On-The-Dream-And-MLK-Memorial
This morning on Washington Journal, c-span 1, a very interesting discussion took place on History of race relations in U.S. I encourage each of your readers to google Cspan and watch this program. One of the interesting subjects discussed is the drug programs and laws throughout the nation and how they have been used to felonize, especially young minority youths. Preventing them from voting. Many other topics were discussed which are worthwhile to consider. If anyone wants to watch the program and has trouble finding it I will provide the link if requested. It will probably be on cspan several times throughout the day on TV.
Thinking about your excellent editorial, out of curiosity, I googled City of Madison Florida. Madison County, Florida – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Very interesting facts and data about our city. For example:
1. As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 3,061 people, 1,227 households, and 764 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,209.7 people per square mile (467.1/km²). There were 1,395 housing units at an average density of 551.3 per square mile (212.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 35.74% White, 62.43% African American, ………
2. About 37.0% of families and 39.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 49.2% of those under age 18 and 28.9% of those age 65 or over.
These are stunning statistics. Similar statistics for the county can be found on Wiki.
In thinking about how we got where we are today, I googled an additional bit of information which I also found informative. Suggest others who truly want more information of this subject to read it carefully. This history is familiar to most old folks, but the younger ones should become familiar with this part of our history. Read it carefully. Lots of food for thought. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Crow_laws
Again thanks for addressing this important subject. We got a lot of work to do in this important area of our life and there is a critical role for all levels of leadership within our community and within the hearts of all our citizens. Wish everyone would read this linked information. We really must get at the root cause of our problem. Will forgo a discussion on the power of duality, but this is just another example of how it is used to divide us.
cheers,
Obviously the derogatory comment at the county commission meeting could only have been aimed at one commissioner. Renetta on behalf of us all sincere apologies for the remark that this idiot made. And John the remark made to you at the service station shame on the parents of that child teaching them racism.
Racism is like a terminal disease – it harbors underneath sometimes undetected, sometimes revealed on the outside – but it slowly kills people it resides in with hate and bitterness – some are fortunate enough to survive even when there is no cure – One thing is for sure, if we never seek to find a cure one will never be found and it will surely kill us all. Madison needs to wake up and see the harm it causes everyone to think better of ourselves than we ought.
To “just me” : I want to address the video issue. I used to drive my Toyota truck all over the county to film arrests. Then the price of gas went up followed by my buying a car that only gets about 13 miles per gallon. Madison Voice is not a big money maker so I found myself staying in the city of Madison a lot more. I film what I can get to. It’s not like the police ever give me a heads up on what’s coming, I just have to get there when I hear it on my radio. I hate the way it looks sometimes but the videos show who got arrested in my range. My last two arrest videos were of white people but sometimes I don’t think people notice when that happens.
You know, Racism back in the old days was quite common. Personally I’m still trying to figure out why Skin color makes a difference. Black and White people have the same tendencies of violence. In my opinion alot of people that are in the wrong or in trouble always have something to blame it on. For alot of people its racism.It’s an excuse! I know it still exists in small towns like Madison but really the people that have bad feelings towards another race. Gut check yourself and ask why? Is it a bad experience with one person? Do you base your feelings off a few bad apples? Everyone doesn’t get the opportunity for a great upbringing but I have told alot of people this same thing. You are responsible to teaching and guiding your kids in the right direction but once they get to a certain age, it doesn’t matter what you say. They are old enough to make decisions and be an adult. So for all the adults out there, Just like John’s comment he posted from Marion. ” We could blame our upbringing, our environment, our legal justice system, our parents, our schools, and on and on, but nothing we’ve suffered gives us a free pass to treat each other with hate and cruelty”
I’m pretty sure the majority of people that ask themselves why they have hatred for the opposite race it’s going to be a stupid reason, Apparantly nobody learned their lesson from Hitler’s little problem.
Madison is never going to grow as a comunity if we have the same frame of mind that people had in the old days. It’s 2011 people we can put people on the moon and clone animals but yet we can’t move forward together as a community because of a difference in skin color!!!
You’re doing a great job JOHN!!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
John,
This is a great editorial and right on target.
@ Marion ~ Beautifully put!
John, I am happy that you addressed this. If each person does not take personal responsibility to
make this better, Madison will reach the point of no return. I am teaching my daughter as I was taught: People are the same on the inside, are equally important and are to be equally respected no matter what the outside package looks like.
I really like your editorial, John. I have lived in and out of Madison County for 25 years and still feel like a “transplant” because I’m not related to half the county like some, or because I wasn’t born and raised here. The way I was raised, a person is a person no matter what their skin color, or social status. Here in Madison, being young and in the public schools, because I talked to black kids, I was considered a “lover”. When my parents took me on trips to other parts of our country, when I socialized with other nationalities: African American, Peurto Ricans, Mexicans, and of course people who were mixed nationality, I was never given a “social tag” because of it. Madison is stuck in a rut that might be filled one day, highly doubtful but there is always hope. Until then, Madison will continue to die because of people not willing to think “outside the box” to try and save it economically or socially. So while the town is run by the of concepts of the forefathers, and nothings changes, the future of the town is deteriorating. Change is just not a invited concept.
John I appreciate your opinion and understand what you are saying. Me as an older generation can honestly say I was brought up in a very racist home, my parents where definently of the old school when it came to blacks. I had made a promise to myself I would do everything in my power to kill these bigoted ideas and feelings.
Being so busy raising my family and then making a career it seemed such an easy task. My husband and I opened our home to foster children, there was no difference when a black, hispanic or white child entered our home, the feelings and love for these children were the same. We actually adopted four and they have been a great blessing in our lives.
Now that I’m older I see the changes and not in a good way. It seems this generation of whites and blacks decided to become defient and unlogical in their actions, young people are dating and marrying out of their race, not for love but to make a statement, they then have children and the problems begin. We are now having a generation of children ‘really’ searching for who they are, how selfish of these parents.
Some if not most are being raised in all white homes with grandparents or adoptive homes who have no clue how to raise them, some make a great effort in letting the child choose, but what a difficult task. I am not speaking of people that look at this as a “blessing” in their lives, I am speaking of unwanted children.
Back to my feelings, after having more time on my hands and living in a very rural area it is easy to observe things. I choose to no longer watch Channel 6 because it is predominantly blacks killing blacks, blacks robbing banks etc…….is this prejudice from the stations for reporting this or is this the truth?
Looking at your video’s makes me think you are filming from New Orleans or the ghetto’s in big cities, are you being prejudice showing these arrest, or is this the truth?
When you filmed the man that had been beaten to death in the Health Dept. parking lot and the crowds gathered during the middle of the day were all black, were you being prejudice or was this the truth.
I assumed the man that was murdered was black, go figure, and was still just as angry as I was after finding out the truth.
Guess it’s like the saying, “You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl”. We can try to not be prejudice but when it comes down to how we were raised these feelings are ingrained in our souls and it doesn’t take much to bring these feelings to the surface.
I pray everyday God will help me through each day and help me with these personal feelings.
John, I agree with your editorial. I believe that right is right and wrong is wrong and no matter how you are raised you should know the difference and behave appropriately.
I think there is a double-standard at play here though. Judgement is handed down too easily. We tolerate too much bad behavior here.
I love Madison and even with our problems, it is a good place to live and there are some awesome people (black and white) who live here.
Hopefully bad behavior will not be reinforced and families will start instructing their kids to treat everyone with respect and tolerance.
I know I taught my child this through tough love and by example. It makes me feel good to see how she treats all other people.
Thank you John, for doing the right thing—keep working and keep reporting!
I really enjoyed this article. I grew up in this town and I know exactly what you are talking about. Luckly I had a mother that taught me early on that you are not to judge anyone based on the outside but on the person they are on the inside. I wanted to compliment Marion for sharing the words of God, that is something my Mom wanted us to always do, something else she always told us was to treat others the way you want to be treated. We are all Part of One Family and that should be GOD’s Family! THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS ARTICLE AND I WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP THIS SITUATION IN MY PRAYERS!!
Great reading! and i agree 100%