sab316 wrote:I love Mississippi. I chose to stay here over going to Denver, or going to Georgia for job offers. I chose to go to Mississippi State. The reason I say those things is because we're so far behind the curve its not even funny. We're not a desirable place for many jobs. Our public schools are a joke for the most part among many other things. I want to see this state thrive as much as anyone else. Just because I'm not staunch right wing conservative to my bones, doesn't mean I don't love this state. That's another thing wrong with this Political system we're in, there is no middle ground. Just like earlier in this thread... I was called a liberal because maybe I support a few things they push for. Yet I support gun ownership, getting people off welfare and food stamps etc etc. BUT because I support one of the things they do, I'm a damned atheist lefty out to get the hard working southern man.
I don't think weed legalization is the fix for all problems, but I think it could seriously put the right foot forward in getting Mississippi back on track. It creates jobs, gives farmers another source of revenue along with the numerous benefits. Helps with glaucoma, helps people with seizures, helps cancer patients dealing with radiation, helps with multiple sclerosis, helps people with Chron's disease, reduces inflammation and helps with arthritis, and helps with PTSD to name a few.
If people want to say cannabis is a gateway drug, then you need to start with alcohol. So lets go back to the 1920's and start back up prohibition. Oh wait? You like to partake in a whiskey drink or a beer? Well guess what, last year 2,200 people died of alcohol poisoning. You know how many people have died from Marijuana overdose since the beginning of time? ZERO.
Also the white old men reference is because we're stuck in the past. Its 2015. This will also have me called a liberal because I don't think the same way as most of you do, but gay marriage... WHO CARES. It's not your life. It affects you in ZERO WAYS. Most people on the right side will say, "By God, the government can't tell me I can't have my guns!!!" but in the same breath you want the government to say that a gay couple can't marry. I have gay friends, and you know what? They are as normal as you and I.
Yes racism goes both ways, and yes some black people feel entitled for nothing. But I've been around too many people calling my best friend the N word, without knowing a single thing about him because of the color of his skin. I've seen the guy go out of his way and help an old lady with her groceries. I've seen him spend his time with the 4k and 5k'ers just because he could. I've seen him run across the street to help my mom carry bags inside the house among numerous other things. BUT ignorant people, and I'm sure a few on this board, would call him the N word because of his skin.
Being stuck in old ways is what is holding MS back.
sab, you make some good points.. I grew up in a different culture in South Texas. One of my best friends was a Black guy and I have family members that are in mixed marriages with Hispanics and I have cousins and uncles that speak both fluent English and Spanish. So I have no issues with race. In fact I have both 1 biological son 1 mixed race adopted Son and I can't remember which one is which. In college when I moved into my dorm, it took all of 2 seconds to fiqure out my new assigned roommate was gay and I could have easily yelled and screamed for a new roommate, but I chose to finish out the semester and I used it as a learning opportunity.
I moved to MS in 1996 when I was 24 years old (that was 19 years ago) and it was quite a culture shock. Everywhere I turned people threw around the N word like it was nothing (and they still do it, even on this site) and all I can do is shake my head and
. People did everything at a slower pace than I was used to and I can't tell you how many times I was asked if I was a Yankee because of the way I talked.
After almost 20 years in this state I can say that there are some issues here in the state, and there are some very good things here as well.
First on Racism, It is true that there is a lot of racism still in this State, and it might be getting worse. I know that it is starting to get worse in my home state of Tx as well. While in the past MS has been racist strickly on color alone, I believe the racism is driven now more by culture than by color. Growing up in Texas we had illegal immigrants all over the place, a common derogatory term was "wet backs". But 30 years ago, when a Mexican crossed the border, they came here to work hard, learn the language and assimilate into the South Texas culture. I had no problem with that. When I moved to MS, I was shocked at how few Mexicans were here. In fact it took me about 6 months to learn how to use the ATM machine without first having to select English or Spanish language on it. Today, while most of the illegals are still coming over here for a better life, there is a growing majority that only want to come over here for handouts and illegal activity and that is what is driving the growing "racism" in South Texas.
So I am about to throw out some racial terms, but I am doing it to make a point..
There are White People and there are "White Trash"
There are Mexican People and there are "Mescans"
There are Black People and there are .....
You get the point.. I believe that most people in MS that still use the N word are using it to describe a culture more so than a color, but it still a term that refers back to the racism of the past that was based purely on the color of the skin.. And I agree with you that in order for this state to move forward we should stop using that term and start focusing on how we can change the culture in the black community.
With that said, the good things about MS (in my opinion) is that it tends to stick to it's traditional values. For example, most people in MS are against Gay marriage. I do not have any issues with Gay people, as I mentioned before. I even have family members that are gay. I do believe it is a sin, but I also believe that a sin is a sin we all have to deal with vices in our life whether it is a gay guys attraction to another guy, or a straight guys lust for another woman, or pornography, or addition to alcohol or drugs.. We all have vices that we have to deal with, and we have to work on and answer to God for and my struggles and sins are no better or worse in the eyes of God than a gay persons sin.
But my opposition to Gay marriage is not based on the person, but on the effects of our society and culture. If we allow Men to marry Men, then how do we not allow a Man to marry two women, or 3 women or 2 Men, or 3 men or a child, or a horse or, etc..... The point is that if you do not keep the sanctity of marriage between 1 man and 1 woman, you begin to go down a slippery slope that will have a negative impact on our society and culture.. Maybe not in our lifetime, but 60, 70, 80 years down the road. In fact the main reason that marriage was created by society was to stabilize it!!!
In my opinion the same goes for Marijuana.. Legalize it and you start down a slippery slope that will not have a good impact on society and culture down the road.
I don't think you are a liberal, but you simply want a "fair" society, and I believe the majority of the country wants that. Some think that by removing limits on marriage or drugs will make society more "fair" they don't see the potential pitfalls this may cause. You say, MS is the fattest, dumbest, most ignorant, racist state in the US and that we are slow to change. There may be some truth to that, but while most of the other, particularly Northern states are pressing hard on the accelerator to change our society into what they think is "Fair". Mississippi and for the most part the South is tapping on the brakes and saying, I am not sure I am ready to drive off that cliff just yet. . So while MS has some issues to work on to repair the negative images of the past, I do believe that most people in this state want a fair and traditional society. Because in the long run, I am not sure a "non traditional" marriage, drug policy or culture is going to be the best road in the long run..
Just my .02
