Submitted by Kathy Maultsby (not verified) on January 13, 2008 - 4:57am.
I was a white teenager living in a small southern Alabama town during the 60's. I remember the many standards of that time that now seem so cruel and stupid - separate water fountains and restrooms and waiting rooms and schools. I worked at a drug store soda fountain for a while. There was a walk up window at the back. If you weren't white, this is where you went to place your order and wait while it was prepared. The one black cook took the orders and the money, but she was not allowed to put the money in the register. She had to hand it to a white worker. This was the norm. Blacks were not allowed to handle money. It was assumed that they could not be trusted.
Most white households had a black "maid." For very low wages they did cleaning, ironing, etc. My family employed one of these "maids."
When I had to have a mole removed by our local doctor, a black nurse assisted him. He felt it necessary to assure me that she was a very competent nurse.
I was a senior when our high school was integrated. Four brave black students volunteered to attend our school. I wish I could say that I took the high road and was friendly and welcoming. But I wasn't and neither was anyone else. We simply ignored them. There was no fighting or name calling, no protesting by parents - just resignation. When it came time to take the senior picture, we were lined up by height. But the only remaining black student was placed at the end of the line, next to me. Her correct placement by height was next to a boy that the teachers told me would have complained.
My first job out of high school was working as the secretary at the newly-formed Head Start center. This was my first experience as a racial minority. Of all the employees, only three were white. I was treated with friendliness and respect - the way I wish I had treated my black schoolmates. One day I accompanied one of the black employees to her house on an errand. I was shocked to see how clean and "normal" her home was. The attitude at that time was that all blacks lived in dirty shacks in "n" town. The "n" word was used freely by young and old alike during those times. I'd lilke to say that I never said it, but I don't know for sure.
Because of this background, I marvel every day at how far we have come. I do not take for granted that all races now live, eat, socialize, and work together. I remember the bad times and how bad they were. But I do not for a minute think that all is now perfect. There are still many forms of racism. The old attitudes are often now directed at Hispanics. I hope that we continue to move forward and always consider "the content of character" instead of the "color of skin."
Remembering Before
I was a white teenager living in a small southern Alabama town during the 60's. I remember the many standards of that time that now seem so cruel and stupid - separate water fountains and restrooms and waiting rooms and schools. I worked at a drug store soda fountain for a while. There was a walk up window at the back. If you weren't white, this is where you went to place your order and wait while it was prepared. The one black cook took the orders and the money, but she was not allowed to put the money in the register. She had to hand it to a white worker. This was the norm. Blacks were not allowed to handle money. It was assumed that they could not be trusted.
Most white households had a black "maid." For very low wages they did cleaning, ironing, etc. My family employed one of these "maids."
When I had to have a mole removed by our local doctor, a black nurse assisted him. He felt it necessary to assure me that she was a very competent nurse.
I was a senior when our high school was integrated. Four brave black students volunteered to attend our school. I wish I could say that I took the high road and was friendly and welcoming. But I wasn't and neither was anyone else. We simply ignored them. There was no fighting or name calling, no protesting by parents - just resignation. When it came time to take the senior picture, we were lined up by height. But the only remaining black student was placed at the end of the line, next to me. Her correct placement by height was next to a boy that the teachers told me would have complained.
My first job out of high school was working as the secretary at the newly-formed Head Start center. This was my first experience as a racial minority. Of all the employees, only three were white. I was treated with friendliness and respect - the way I wish I had treated my black schoolmates. One day I accompanied one of the black employees to her house on an errand. I was shocked to see how clean and "normal" her home was. The attitude at that time was that all blacks lived in dirty shacks in "n" town. The "n" word was used freely by young and old alike during those times. I'd lilke to say that I never said it, but I don't know for sure.
Because of this background, I marvel every day at how far we have come. I do not take for granted that all races now live, eat, socialize, and work together. I remember the bad times and how bad they were. But I do not for a minute think that all is now perfect. There are still many forms of racism. The old attitudes are often now directed at Hispanics. I hope that we continue to move forward and always consider "the content of character" instead of the "color of skin."