Eat A Black and White Cookie Today!

Yep. It's a national holiday. My kids are out of school, my office is closed and my hubby's office is closed.

We are all celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! We remember a great man who was able to lead a disenfranchised group of people to inclusion. A segment of society that had been left behind because of bad schooling and unequal opportunities. (Sounds like the Jews, huh?)

Yall, I want to encourage a change in our attitude so our children will have a different attitude. I work to get away from the way people talked and felt when I was growing up. I'm pretty sure I've written here before about Birmingham in the 1970's and the changes that entire city was going through.

I will share one thing: When I went to college (in Arkansas,) I was still using the N word without feelings of remorse. I dated a guy (from Texas, another traditionally tolerate state) that called me on it. I'll never forget. He told me that we become prejudge when we don't really know another person from the group we are prejudge against. It changed my world view.

I since have had the opportunity to work with and enjoy the company of Black (African-American, whichever) folks. Some people of color have walked into my church. My bunco game. My service project. Knowing them has helped me grow into someone who tries to sees people as individuals - not groups.

Lastly. Do we even have Black and White cookies in Abilene? We did in Birmingham and I always thought we should adopt them as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day official food. Like turkey at Thanksgiving or chocolate on Valentine's Day.

Reserved....

I've been thinking alot about the elitism-thing lately. I saw Dan Zanes in concert on Saturday (I'll write more) and I was sooooo put off by the "reserved seating." It was at the Historic Paramount and 5 rows in the center front were "reserved." I had waited with Abbie for 20 minutes in the 90* heat to get a good seat for this general admission concert - we had good seats on the side across from the "reserved seating." We were on the aisle - I did that purposefully, so Abbie that could see better and she was able to get up and dance. So I'm not complaining about my seats - they were good!

But what about the other folks that sat in the back, under the balcony - were theirs as good? What about up in the top of the balcony? Did anyone fall going up or down (inside joke for Sarah, I couldn't resist.) The reserved section was policed, if you will, by two ladies in their Junior League t-shirts. They stood next to the area (on either side) to keep out the great unwashed and allow those lucky people who had a special pass to sit there. About 2 minutes before the concert started, they were approached by the executive director of the Grace Museum and asked to open up the last 2 rows. By then everyone was seated and the rows remained empty throughout the concert.

It really bothered me. I checked and the Junior League weren't listed as sponsors (they frequently are and usually have good seats reserved at children's events.) I thought about Jesus and his response, I thought about how it would look for my home church, my kids - this is a small town, yall. Anything I say or write (this or a letter to the editor of the paper) will be there forever! And it will be remembered..... Some of these ladies go to my church, some of their kids go to our school - they aren't bad necessarily bad people.

Then I see an another news story about Paris Hilton - is she getting special treatment because of her name and wealth? Of course she is. Just by virtue of who she is - she has special treatment. She can call Barbara Walters, collect - is anybody else in the LA County jail doing that? Her parents go to the front of the line when they visit her - no waiting in line for them.

My conclusion (on Saturday anyway) was that I couldn't be prejudice against anyone based on their t-shirt. Or what club they are in. This is what it boils down to - prejudice. Some people earn their snob title - Paris or the Junior Leaguer who shows her stripes - but they can't all be lumped into One Big Snob because of their club membership. Or what school their children attend. Right?