Petition to Ban Confederate Flag from Walton County Courthouse

[mputnal]

Poppy, Leader of the Banned, Cuff, Jdarg, Lake View Too, Second Wind:

Your posts have allowed me to understand that when people become prejudiced and arrogant there is no compromise, no respect and therefore no real belief in equality. You simple believe that those who are less educated and poor are less than you regardless of color. You believe you are superior to others in that there is only your truth and everyone else is ignorant (except those that agree with you). I wish I was wrong about this because I put a lot of trust in humanity. If I am wrong prove it. Tell us how you have personally engaged with an African American within the last year. Tell us how you have ever invited an African American into your home, your business or any form of regular social activity (church, dinner, pool, beach etc.). My observations are that there are very few African Americans in the Sowal area. How do you explain this? I have asked this question many days ago and so far NO ONE has offered any explanation. You avoid the question as if you are scared of something. Are you scared to admit that you are hypocritical? The arguments you make against the Confederate Flag are that it symbolizes Racism yet you have not given us ONE example of where you engage with African Americans at ALL. Your argument is that by supporting removing the Confederate Flag it proves you are not racist yet very few African Americans vacation in Sowal. Why is that? Please explain because it looks like Sowal does not want African Americans on their beaches. If you just skirt around this issue with the strawman arguments it just makes you look more guilty of the same things you say about the Confederate Flag.
You just can not hide any more without giving us some stories of being ENGAGED in true equality. I keep hearing Jdargs prejudices against poor people in my head which is the same as racism against blacks. Equality means that you do not judge anyone as being less than you (less clean, less weathy, less educated, less caring, less anything). Where is the equality in Sowal? Marketing African Americans is just not something that Sowal seems to care about. Your reasons for believing the Confederate Flag is a racist symbol mean nothing as Teresa once told me on this thread. What really matters as it was explained to me is how do you personally engage in equality?

 

[mputnal]

I also have observed that all of the people that I referred to above does not give us any part of their real name. Why is that? All of us on the other side of the Confederate Flag issue are giving you our name or at least part of our name. I would like to hear your explanations of this because it looks like to me you are hiding from something. Many of you have judged me to be racist, supporting slavery, ignorant, stupid, clueless and many other insults so I think I have the right to know who is judging me so harshly. Maybe not but worth the effort to at least ask the question.

 

[Misty]

mputnal I spoke to Justin....if you can msg me some contact info he will get back to you.

 

[Teresa]

I also have observed that all of the people that I referred to above does not give us any part of their real name. Why is that? All of us on the other side of the Confederate Flag issue are giving you our name or at least part of our name. I would like to hear your explanations of this because it looks like to me you are hiding from something. Many of you have judged me to be racist, supporting slavery, ignorant, stupid, clueless and many other insults so I think I have the right to know who is judging me so harshly. Maybe not but worth the effort to at least ask the question.

You aren't judged. You are taking people's views personally. Don't.

Growing up in the south there was undercurrent of racism but I didn't know what it was. It wasn't spoken of. Ever.

Later, I was a teacher of many young adults with disabilities and knew their families and worked with them daily for several years in Tuscaloosa. Many were black youth. Many became like family to me and I discovered their neighborhoods and was privileged to be in their lives. This was where I learned everything I know today about people and life. So thankful.

I've traveled and worked in enough places to understand and see how we're all the same. Travel is good. And I'm thankful.

Over the years I've had some family friends, students and coworkers, mixed marriage friends and their children, met new friends in other places. I've done nothing for them except be fortunate to know then.

I believe we should care what the African American segment thinks in the CNN poll, in our home town and everywhere. It's called listening.

I've actually done very little. But listening to their views and feelings is the best I can possibly do. Listen.

The panhandle is a white stretch of society. Actually, many parts of Florida are very white. But that will change in time here I believe. The only thing wrong with South Walton is lack of color and diversity.. It's a concern of many residents, but its also the norm for many Florida beach towns for whatever reason. It will happen. And it is happening. Believe it or not, SoWal is much more than a beach and vacation destination.. Many of us live here and work hard and our kids go to school here. For us, this is a real community with real people... Including minorities.

I shouldn't answer this question you keep asking about what "we've" done. It's called real life. It's just what you do, or you don't. It's a personal thing. And isn't even really about what you have done. Because it isn't about you. Or me. It's whether you can put yourself in another's shoes for a minute. It's whether you're willing to make the little changes and sacrifices to create a community worthy of our children.

 

[Leader of the Banned]

Poppy, Leader of the Banned, Cuff, Jdarg, Lake View Too, Second Wind:

Your posts have allowed me to understand that when people become prejudiced and arrogant there is no compromise, no respect and therefore no real belief in equality. You simple believe that those who are less educated and poor are less than you regardless of color. You believe you are superior to others in that there is only your truth and everyone else is ignorant (except those that agree with you). I wish I was wrong about this because I put a lot of trust in humanity. If I am wrong prove it. Tell us how you have personally engaged with an African American within the last year. Tell us how you have ever invited an African American into your home, your business or any form of regular social activity (church, dinner, pool, beach etc.). My observations are that there are very few African Americans in the Sowal area. How do you explain this? I have asked this question many days ago and so far NO ONE has offered any explanation. You avoid the question as if you are scared of something. Are you scared to admit that you are hypocritical? The arguments you make against the Confederate Flag are that it symbolizes Racism yet you have not given us ONE example of where you engage with African Americans at ALL. Your argument is that by supporting removing the Confederate Flag it proves you are not racist yet very few African Americans vacation in Sowal. Why is that? Please explain because it looks like Sowal does not want African Americans on their beaches. If you just skirt around this issue with the strawman arguments it just makes you look more guilty of the same things you say about the Confederate Flag.
You just can not hide any more without giving us some stories of being ENGAGED in true equality. I keep hearing Jdargs prejudices against poor people in my head which is the same as racism against blacks. Equality means that you do not judge anyone as being less than you (less clean, less weathy, less educated, less caring, less anything). Where is the equality in Sowal? Marketing African Americans is just not something that Sowal seems to care about. Your reasons for believing the Confederate Flag is a racist symbol mean nothing as Teresa once told me on this thread. What really matters as it was explained to me is how do you personally engage in equality?

I never attributed your poor communication skills and lack of intellect to income or education level.

 

[Misty]

I never attributed your poor communication skills and lack of intellect to income or education level.

Are you always such an a$$?

 

[Leader of the Banned]

Are you always such an a$$?

As long as you don't think I'm an ass.

 

[Misty]

As long as you don't think I'm an ass.

You have assuredly removed any doubt I may have had.

 

[Leader of the Banned]

I also have observed that all of the people that I referred to above does not give us any part of their real name. Why is that? All of us on the other side of the Confederate Flag issue are giving you our name or at least part of our name. I would like to hear your explanations of this because it looks like to me you are hiding from something. Many of you have judged me to be racist, supporting slavery, ignorant, stupid, clueless and many other insults so I think I have the right to know who is judging me so harshly. Maybe not but worth the effort to at least ask the question.

My real name contains some vowels. Does that help?

Now can you give me any part of the last 4 digits of your social security number, your mother's maiden name, your best friend's teacher's pet in high school on the first street you lived on while you watched your favorite movie?

 

[Teresa]

My real name contains some vowels. Does that help?

I prefer real names but have come to realize it doesn't matter. You are who you are.