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In reply to the discussion: Southerners have got to realize that Margaret Mitchell was a writer of fiction. [View all]jtuck004
(15,882 posts)The New Yorker says ""Screw You Asshole" While the bubble above his head is showing that he is thinking "Have a nice day"
The person from the West coast said "Have a nice day", while the balloon of his thoughts said "Screw you asshole".
I see what you mean, and agree with you that people who hide their racism can seem worse than those who tell you up front. I live 35 miles from the Whitopia of Coeur d'Alene Idaho, in the almost as White Spokane, and having lived the previous 50 years in the South, you are describing the difference accurately.
I don't pretend to say how things are for everyone, but I can damn sure tell you what my experience has been and is - ymmv.
In the South you pretty well know where you stand - you may not like it, but at least the people have the backbone to tell you to your face.
The people up North will let you go on believing, and then stab you in the back when you are not looking. Their morals are much more slippery. And because they hide so much, you simply can't trust them.
Look around. Where do you see black folks in power, and owning assets? We don't have confederate flags, and mostly don't have black business owners and property owners either.
The South is bad, but at least you know when there is a flag on the legislature you aren't welcome. Up here it's been my experience that they are mostly cowards when it comes to race, and let you go further and get you when your back is turned, so the press isn't nearly so bad, and people can pretend not to see it. Up here, I don't think they need a flag to tell someone they aren't welcome.
There is no better or worse. Racism is still racism.