What can I do (if anything) to stop this?

Question

Alright, I live in southeastern Kentucky and we are known for being very racist. I mean heII, we have a KKK that still marches. My town is so racist its ridiculous. But where the most trouble is is at school where everyone is forced to spend 8 hours together every day. Just while school has been back in session (2 1/2 weeks), there was already a noose put in a black girls locker, one of my friends had the word ****er written on her books and much more stuff. Now, there are only about 3 or 4 black kids in my school and I have a best friend that is black and it makes me sick when people do these things. I don't know what to do. What would you do?

Answer 1

~Been there, done that. Just stick with your friend, be prepared to suffer the consequences, and hope someday the ignorant learn to think.

Or, play it safe, join the lynch mob and rule them out. When they're gone, everyone will have to pick a new target for the bigotry. The Italians and Poles have have it too easy for too long. Maybe they can have another turn in the barrel.

Or, get the crackers and rednecks to move out. We like to spit on them up here in the northeast. Nah, keep them home. We don't want them around. Ruins the neighborhood and brings property values way down.

Answer 2

I'm not quite sure why black families would want to move to a place like that, but there are a few things you can do. Do your white friends associate with the black students at school? (You said your best friend is black but I don't know if he/she goes to your school). If not, you could take steps to mix them both in your friendship circle. Secondly, DO speak with the councelors and your parents. If they aren't predudiced, you may have some luck and support there. If you can't get any support, you could write to the school board. You're on the right track, just being concerned about this.

If people tell you about these incidents of harassment, make sure they know you do NOT appreciate it. It's not easy to stand up for what you know is right, and in your town...you WILL get some negative feedback, but it has to start with someone.

Answer 3

It all depends on how much of a stand you are willing to make and how much of a sacrifice you are willing to make.

It still won't put any sense into a person with a tiny brain. I hope no bad comes to you or your family or your friend and his/her family.

This is a crime against humanity as far as I'm concerned.

Maybe you can get hold of the proper federal agency because civil rights are being denied here. File a complaint with them if you dare.

God bless you.

P.S. Maybe you could talk to the principal and have a guest speaker talk to all the assembled students. Of course the speaker would have credentials, talk of the dangers of racism, and might even possibly be black.
Just be aware that these stupid racists play with fire and things can quickly get out of control and people's lives can be further ruined. I'm sorry you are in this predicament. I hope you figure out how to make the best of a bad situation and are able to put some sense in dumb peoples' heads.

Answer 4

You teach people by example. It sounds like you are doing that. However most of the people you are talking about were probably thought to be predigest by there families. for some people it is a learned behavior,and I am sure that if the truth were known a lot of them do not really feel that way but they are afraid of being outcast by there families if they do not carry on the tradition (So to speak) hang in there you are doing the right thing.

Answer 5

Move. My sister is half black, so we've been dealing with this (in much smaller doses) her entire life. In an area that racist, the only option is to get out if you want to live a peaceful life. Ignorant people will never change. Get out of the South!

Answer 6

be as supportive to your friend as you can be. it's tough being that much of a minority. maybe try confronting your principal or school bored and bring attention to this matter. these things shouldn't be happening in your school. you don't have to be black or white to be offended by these actions. it gets in the way of schoolwork and isn't socially acceptable no matter where you go. the kkk being in your town doesn't help matters and make it appear as though it's ok, but it's not. kudos to you for recognizing this injustace and wanting to work on making it better.

Answer 7

I wish there was something you could do to stop racism forever; it's a nationwide problem, and a dangerous and emberassing one.

If you really want to fix this place (and it'll take alot of work) you need to take care of yourself, support your friends, and grow up to be the smart and successful adult you can be. Then come back to your hometown and start up educational programs to teach young people to be more respectful of people of other races.

Come to think of it, there must be some way you get something like that at your school now. Talk to your principal. Talk to your school board. Talk to your congressman! And good luck.

Answer 8

i'd say you and your friend should see the school counsellor, there is no way either of you should have to put up with this. the counsellor might not be able to help you fight the racism, but they''ll help you cope with it. also, telling the counsellor will force the school to acknowledge there is a problem at least on some level, which might help to fight it. of course, i am writing this in fairly non-racist ireland, so i might be frightfully naive in saying all this, but i feel it is extremely important that you get someone in an offical capacity involved. my heart goes out to you, good luck!

Answer 9

Doing the right thing is not always the easy thing. You have to stand up to injustice and what your friend is experiencing is injustice. Tell your parents, notify the school and the police. Be prepared to be vilified by some but know that your actions are righteous. We are all made in the image of God.

Answer 10

Big steps are difficult by little ones could have important effects. Denounce little stupid actions like the ones you describe, there must be someone who knows someone who is doing this things. Involve with your teachers and principal in activities to avoid this and to identify racist actions. Impunity is a big problem, because is an incentive to keep doing it.