In the early 1900's my grandfather owned cattle, farmed and had a general store in Northeast Mississippi plus a ranch in Texas. I don't know all the details, but he employed a young black boy. During his employment, the black boy found himself in need a place to live. My grandfather's family of six children took the boy in. Somewhere along the way the boy acquired the nick name of Snow Ball. ( Remember this was Mississippi)
My Grandfather died just prior to the Great Depression, when my mother was six years old. My grandmother did not have his business savvy, so she lost everything but his farm land. She lost the ranch in Texas because she could not pay the taxes.
As I was growing up in the 50's, my parents worked, so when school was out, I often hung out with my uncle who farmed and was a rural letter carrier, going back prior to the depression. His farm land was improved by paying people 50 cents a day and these people were glad to get to work. My uncle had three families living on his farm. They were share croppers - my uncle provided the equipment, seeds, fertilizer, and the families provided all the labor. After the cotton harvest, net profits less the advancements the families drew during the year, were "shared"
One of the families were black. (In those days, to be respectful, they were called colored). This family had a son about my age. When my uncle was busy, he often asked the boy's father to keep an eye on me. Many a day I have eaten in the modest house my uncle provided. I still remember swatting the flies away while eating. The widows and doors were open for cooling. The boy went to a separate but unequal school. My State has a horrible history of dealing with black people.
While I admit using the "N" word, I try to judge people by their actions, rather than there skin color.
But what chaps my ass is the honor this country has given Martin Luther King. Dr (honorary, not earned) King is the only person in the USA to have a day in his honor, not Washington, not Lincoln. These men are all lumped into president's day. So is MLK the most important man to ever live here? I don't think so!
And now George Floyd, who died as a result of a crime, is getting more attention than President Kennedy. The people who riot are justified " as just letting their frustrations out". Is the business owner not frustrated when his property is destroyed?
Have a great day from Water Valley, MS!
My Grandfather died just prior to the Great Depression, when my mother was six years old. My grandmother did not have his business savvy, so she lost everything but his farm land. She lost the ranch in Texas because she could not pay the taxes.
As I was growing up in the 50's, my parents worked, so when school was out, I often hung out with my uncle who farmed and was a rural letter carrier, going back prior to the depression. His farm land was improved by paying people 50 cents a day and these people were glad to get to work. My uncle had three families living on his farm. They were share croppers - my uncle provided the equipment, seeds, fertilizer, and the families provided all the labor. After the cotton harvest, net profits less the advancements the families drew during the year, were "shared"
One of the families were black. (In those days, to be respectful, they were called colored). This family had a son about my age. When my uncle was busy, he often asked the boy's father to keep an eye on me. Many a day I have eaten in the modest house my uncle provided. I still remember swatting the flies away while eating. The widows and doors were open for cooling. The boy went to a separate but unequal school. My State has a horrible history of dealing with black people.
While I admit using the "N" word, I try to judge people by their actions, rather than there skin color.
But what chaps my ass is the honor this country has given Martin Luther King. Dr (honorary, not earned) King is the only person in the USA to have a day in his honor, not Washington, not Lincoln. These men are all lumped into president's day. So is MLK the most important man to ever live here? I don't think so!
And now George Floyd, who died as a result of a crime, is getting more attention than President Kennedy. The people who riot are justified " as just letting their frustrations out". Is the business owner not frustrated when his property is destroyed?
Have a great day from Water Valley, MS!
