RACISM IN TEXAS
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12/19/2007
This is not just my view but my experiences as an African American male married to a Mexican female - for more than 25 years. We have been been here in the D/FW "metroplex" for nearly two years and have made few good friends, Black, Hispanic or White. Being both Pentecostal Christians, we have found as much, or more, racism in the churches as in the work and public places. At least in the work placs your associates feel obligated to work with each other and in the public places they only care about the color of your money. But in the churches, which are nothing more than religious social clubs, hatred and prejudice is open from the church leaders to the pew warmers - in both the Black churches and in the others. We live in middle class neighborhood and know the names of only one of my neighbors; all attemptes to introduce myself to others is greeted by a turning of the back and then walking away. However, people here do mind their own business and tolerate each other - because they are afraid not too; after all, this is the wild, wild west and you can get shot for offending the wrong person - even on the freeways where, yes, they do drive like maniacs (especially in the Dallas area). And by the way; I was born in Texas and raised in Oklahoma; having lived in four other states and one foreign country (not military) I wanted to come back home. Oh well; so much for dreams of a wondrful retirement "back home". God "help" America.
Patrick | Burleson, TX