Paula Deen and Why So Many Southern Racists Don't Believe They're Actually Racists

Racism: the Collective American Neurosis that no one wants to hear about, especially from the people who suffer as a result of it the most.

In fact the title should be:  'Paula Deen and Why So Many AMERICAN Racists Don't Believe They're Actually Racists'

I have my moments of racism; even as it pertains to my own culture, LoL. It is ingrained in Americans from the cradle to the grave by the most beloved and sacred of our institutions. The educational system and religion being the top two.

The only way to heal a neurosis is through employing some of the protocols used in psychiatric therapy,such as: dialogue and opposite role identification.  The most important aspects of dealing with this monkey-on-the-collective-back is 1) there needs to be an acceptance of the existence of the problem ; 2) letting go of Fear and opening our Hearts; and 3) a willingness to heal.

Paula Deen and Why So Many Southern Racists Don't Believe They're Actually Racists   - from Pajiba.com By Dustin Rowles | Think Pieces | June 26, 2013 |

A comment made by one of the readers of this article and my response:

IngridToday said:

"Paula Deen admits to using the n-word when being held at gun point.... because that'll improve the situation.

I'm from the North and moved to the South for a short time. I was surprised how many people absolutely believe the Civil War was *not* about slavery. One person tried to tell me slavery wasn't that prevalent and another that black people were better off as slaves because they had free room and board. She seriously insisted that slavery ended because it was too expensive for the landowner.

Of course, I had also had some use the n-word and immediately say he -at twenty- he didn't know any better because he's from a small town."

My response:

Unfortunately, Ingrid Today, the Civil War wasn't about slavery as it's primary interest. The impetus for the North's disagreement with Chattel Slavery was motivated more by dollars-n-cents than by any moral inclinations. The primary issue was that the financiers of the Northern 'Union' states recognized that slavery was giving the Southern Republic states a greater economic advantage. Too many Southerner's families, in relation to their silver-spoon-mouthed counterparts up North, were stinking rich as a result of the Chattel Trade. Wealth = Economic Flexibility = Political Power. The kind of power that would have bought them the Presidency, as well as, the ears and socioeconomic clout of corruptible reps in the Senate and Congress. The kind that would situate them in a position to rule the economy and shut down the Federal Reserve Bank and the fate of gold & silver would be in the South's control. That's what made them scream so loud about slavery: they were terrified of the clout it gave the South.  If slavery had continued, for as little as 20 more years, we would be calling this country the Confederate States of America. This was more worrisome to folks up North than the freedom - or not - of some Black servants and workers. The North was just as racist as the South anyway. History bears that out. That is why so many 'freedmen' went either far North into Canada or South into Mexico; or the Caribbean.

REMEMBERING ROSA MAE

It took an entire day for me to step back far enough emotionally to write this...even chillin' with my peeps at the Fourth Fete, my feelings waxed and waned, as I felt her presence and then she'd be gone just as quickly as she was upon me. SO, after an awesome day cooling out with The Peeps, I came home and began.

Ten years ago, on July 4th 2003, my Rosa Mae Williams made her transition. My Mother and I were born on the same day; she in 1931. 

The fact that she made her way on 'Independence Day' is completely appropriate in her case. She was her own woman: fiercely and unabashedly so. Yet her kindness and compassion was just as uncompromising as her toughness.

You see, Rosa Mae was the every man's woman. She could be found rubbing elbows inside the Tudors and Colonials of Upper Montclair, or cooling her heels in a Newark 'hood; dancing with the young ones in Fire Hydrant Rain.

She had a slick charm that simmered behind that dazzling smile of hers; I witnessed its disarming prowess often and bathed in the admiration which washed over me.. She could soften the hardest Hearts and make the most arrogant fool back up and step into their proper place, which was no where near the height of her soaring Spirit, nor could they keep up with her sauntering into the dark alleys and project halls; for they would not match her courage.

I learned so much from you, Rosa Mae. On how TO and how NOT to expose the tricks of the Human Realm. On what it means to be a Chocolate Girl in this Vanilla World. On what it takes to be free in Mind and Spirit, even when the shackles are battering and bruising your body. On being the Sky Walker, the Trickster, the beeeyach, the Guru, the Untamed Woman and Mamma Dukes.

On the necessity of being me, 24-7-365 regardless of who, what or where.

Peace Moms, 
it was groovy spending the day with your sneaky self.

Hollah at a Sista next time.

LOL!!!!