I ran into a friend at the Ball High football game last Friday, and we commiserated on Donald Trump’s sweeping victory.
“I guess we’ll have to get used to being a minority,” my friend said with a grin, noting the Republican sweep.
“Come to think of it, I’ve been in the minority all my life,” I said, realizing that was true.
I grew up in the deep South. A block or two from my childhood home in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, there was a bank of signs welcoming visitors on the main highway from Birmingham.
Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions clubs all were there. So was the Ku Klux Klan.
This was Alabama in the 1950s. Black people could not vote. The Klan operated openly. Schools were segregated, separate and unequal.
One fall evening, the vicar at my church was abducted, beaten and run out of town. He had invited some Black kids to our church youth group.
No arrests were made. The man disappeared up north, and a curtain of silence fell. Our pastor never mentioned the incident privately or from the pulpit.
Yet everyone knew who among the congregation organized the beating.
This was common then. Majorities in Alabama elected racist mayors, city councils, county commissions and governors, including George Wallace (segregation today, tomorrow and forever).
To join majority opinion in 1950s Alabama was to join a conspiracy of iniquity.
But what if you just remained silent?
That is what most Southerners did. The price of questioning the dominant racist view of the world was high indeed, and most refused to pay it.
That’s true even if they hated the injustice and the violence. That’s what my father did. He never joined the Klan or the White Citizens Council, which was a gussied-up version of the Klan for Rotarians, Klansmen with neckties.
Our family stayed silent as Robert Shelton, the Klan’s Imperial Wizard, did his work from my hometown. He later went to prison for contempt of Congress. As a young reporter, I covered Shelton’s homecoming from jail in 1969, a banquet at the Ramada Inn.
My boss edited my story down to a couple of bland paragraphs. He considered my original story, which simply quoted Shelton’s nutty racism, as too inflammatory.
I just read the book “The Barn” by Wright Thompson about the 1955 murder in Mississippi of Emmitt Till, a 14-year-old Black child who committed the sin — allegedly — of getting fresh with a white woman.
Thompson is a passionate native of the Mississippi Delta, and his book is horrifying. In it, I heard the cries of the child’s death echoing from a lamplit barn at midnight.
Everyone in the Mississippi community where the crime occurred — every sentient being — knew who committed the crime, how and when and where. They knew of its unbelievable brutality.
Two suspects eventually faced arrest and a trial by an all-white, all-male jury of their Mississippi Delta peers. Reporter David Halberstam called the trial, which lasted five hot September days, the first great media event of the civil rights movement.
No one ever went to jail for the death of Emmitt Till.
At his funeral, Emmitt Till’s mother insisted on an open casket so mourners could see the brutality that led to her child’s death.
Sometimes being in the minority is to be on the righteous side of history.
(50) comments
Well written, I couldn’t agree with you more.
Yes, a thoughtful well-written article, Mr. T.
Mr. Tillotson, what puts you in the minority. The fact that your candidate lost does not a minority make.
The majority of Americans simple want a better world and life for the next generation. How we achieve that is a difference of opinion, but does not a minority make.
You speak of Christians doing little during the Civil Rights actions of the 50's and 60's and then support an industry that mocks these Christians when they get involved and vote their beliefs.
Mr. Tillotson, you have worked hard for all you have achieved and deserve the rewards obtained. You have implied that anyone that voted for Trump is a racist and now mock true minorities by including yourself, a White, well educated, upper middle class individual that had access to capital and education your entire life.
I know you are not intending the twrm "minority" in reference to race. Given your age, reference to the events you stated and previous writings; why wouldn't I intrepret it that way.
As an American, as a Christian, as a white male I have never been a minority. You agreeing with your friend's quoted statement of "being a minority" is one of the most absurd, ignorant and perhaps truly racist things I have ever heard. Then you are the expert on who are the racists. At least you had the sense to add the word "in".
Mr. Tillotson, you truly need to check yourself. Obviously one coffe club discussion did not improve your outlook.
A minority you have never been or ever will be.
Mr. Woody! I was going to rip Dolph on the premise, or logic of referring to himself as a minority then bringing up Emmitt Till to enhance some kind of sympathy for a "Through Shellacking" in an election loss, but I must defer to you sir because of your rich rebuke, and reproach you posted here! Question for you though: Do you use an open stance or a.closed stance? I wonder because you KNOCK THAT ONE over the Left-Field Fence,...FOR REAL! [thumbup][thumbup][thumbup]
Mr. Douglas, I was waiting to hear your thoughts and thank you!
Closed stance, but am a much better hitter with my words than a baseball. Being a better than average defensive catcher was my specialty.
Mr. Douglas, I also like how Mr. Tillotson did another Dolph. Do you like how the title of his column implies that the only people with principle are those that agreed with him.
Mr. T. ? What will we call a Democrat Mayor or Governor that interferes with Trump's plan to remove Illegal Migrants? ROAD KILL!
The one thing that Mr Tillotson left out of his column was the party that was responsible for the history he writes about. The party he supports, the Democrats.
[thumbup]
Mr. Stover!!! Very seldom, very seldom, have I seen " BACK TO BACK" " OVER DA FENCE" GEMS posted concerning a problems of today, but there is always opportunities for it to happen, like NOW!!!! THIS WAS OVER THE " RIGHT-FIELD FENCE!!!! [thumbup][thumbup][thumbup]
The KKK was a minority who hated the black minority. The KKK invented and controlled the Democrat party. Slavery, segregation and suppresion of Blacks was a policy of KKK Democrats. Why have black Americans supported Democrats? Grand promises made and not kept. Every where Democrats rule blacks are the bottom of the social order. A tiny number of blacks are permitted to sucede to tell all other blacks they have a chance under Democrat rule.
Dolph, I think we need to see these stories to be reminded of the social injustices back then. Let's pray we do not go back to those days, with discrimination of Blacks, gays, women or others.
I know how you feel, Dolph. I've always been in the minority. The feeling of being out of place and out of step with my peers is among my earliest memories. But I don't mind. The fringes are my happy place. You can't run free in a crowd.
"All alone, or in twos
The ones who really love you
Walk up and down, outside the wall
Some hand in hand
And some gathered together in bands
The bleeding hearts and the artists make their stand
And when they've given you their all
Some stagger and fall, after all it's not easy
Banging your heart against some mad bugger's wall."
Here's to the misfits!
Mr. Jones, I had to look up the words in your response. I was never much of a punk rocker or alternative music fan, so had never heard of The Misfits. These are great lyrics.
What you seem to appreciate more than most, it is not always obvious by sight who are the misfits. Our experiences are different, but you have the clarity of mind to understand that those experiences bring us to different beliefs, but our values may be the same.
Thanks for your intelligence and willingness to share your experiences.
Good job Dolph, you triggered the triggered. I two feel like a minority, and have been feeling it for some time.
I tried to engage someone my age in a conversation at a local coffee shop here in Santa Fe the other morning. I tried to keep it simple, dicussing old cars, the weather, recent travels, and old neighborhoods that our families grew up in. It didn’t take long before this guy said that it was those “gay blades” that ruined the “The Heights” in Houston.
Yes I still feel like a minority.
Let me make sure I understand.
Me voting for President Trump makes me a racist. But two old successful, heterosexual, white guys that have most likely never experienced any bigotry or prejudice joking about "being a minority" is not insensitive or racist.
I guess what concerns me is what in anyone's mind or thoughts makes one think we are on the precipice of returning to the 50's or 60's. This is such an absurd idea it should give others an understanding of why the election turned out the way it did. Quit trying to make America out to be evil.
Put another way human nature does not change. There will always be ignorance and prejudice. This does not mean we should not try to be better and we should protect others regardless of their beliefs.
What was allowed to happen to Jewish students on campuses was ridiculous. When people in authority allow racism and violence to occur under their leadership there is going to be a backlash.
The vast majority of us only want mutual respect and that the law that has been voted on by us or legislated by elected officials is enforced equally upon all people.
Again, I will state this is what the powers that be want the citizenry to focus as they refuse to pass a budget, continue excessive spending, allow executive orders and keep us in continuous wars. After our withdrawal from Afghanistan I told numerous friends we would be involved in another war within in a year. Welcome, Ukraine. We will be fighting in Ukraine for 15 years. There is the hope that President Trump "may" be able to end our involvement in the conflict. My expectation is that the Military Industrial Complex that so many have warned will continue to be involved and keep our nation participating.
Ron, being a minority is not a joking matter. Currently, if you voted for Trump, you are in the majority; everyone else is in the minority. If I were heterosexual, I would be in the minority in the USA and Galveston County. It's important to remember that any group in society that differs from the majority due to their race, religion, or political beliefs is considered a minority.
Mr. Forsythe, I believe you are confusing me with the author of the editorial. Show me anywhere in my words where I was joking about being a minority.
I became a Republican in the mid 80's, I never voted for Reagan and have lived 50 of my 64 years in Counties controlled by the Democratic Party. I was often ostracized in business due to not being a drinker, smoker and being a conservative Christian. I was belittled, berated and mocked by my father for my beliefs until he died when I was 50. The idea that my political beliefs, not drinking or smoking made me a minority is an unbelievable thought. Then I have not spent my life being offended by the words of others.
Mr. Forsythe, one's political affiliation or losing an election does not make them a minority.
I look forward to you showing me where I was joking about being a minority. I know that I have been blessed to be born a heterosexual, white, male in spite of being mocked for my beliefs or lifestyle I have never been a minority.
"never experienced any bigotry or prejudice joking about "being a minority" is not insensitive or racist". "losing an election does not make them a minority." Yes, it does because the majority voted for the other person.
Mr. Forsythe, You are wearing me out, however I am persistent and stubborn and unfortunately undisciplined.
I am uncertain your age, education or where you were educated. I am sorry you never learned the importance of prepositions. Read these two statements and please research and understand the difference.
Hispanics are the fastest growing minority in the US.
Democrats are in the minority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Being a minority and being "in" the minority are two complete different environments.
I was not the one joking about being a minority that was the author and his friend. I am quite sure that given the background Mr. Tillotson has shared, his success and like most of us our friends usually have similar experiences that Mr. Tillotson and his friend have rarely, if ever experienced bigotry or prejudice. With that statement I was implying a fact and not a statement to elicit humor.
I will asking again show me where I was joking about being a minority.
In the future I might suggest you take the advice of the biblical proverb that was altered, used by many and often attributed to President Lincoln or Mr. Samuel Clemens:
"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt."
Mr. Forsythe, I have also never met you, so you informally using my first name as if we are friends is somewhat offensive. I would request that you use my last name as I do with everyone on these comments. If you choose to use a derogatory term that implies arrogance or being a jerk that is fine also. That will not bother me in the least.
Mr. Forsythe, if you were a heterosexual you would be in the majority in Galveston County and the US not the minority. I might suggest you buy a dictionary or use Google on your favored electronic device to obtain definitions when using multisyllabic words.
Sorry for the snarkiness, but you are the one that incorrectly called me out for making being a minority a joke.
Ron, thanks for pointing that out, I will fix it.
Ron, being a minority is not a joking matter. Currently, if you voted for Trump, you are in the majority; everyone else is in the minority. If I were homosexual, I would be in the minority in the USA and Galveston County. It's important to remember that any group in society that differs from the majority due to their race, religion, or political beliefs is considered a minority.
Jim > One out of five Americans voted for Kamala. One fifth is a minority. One in five voted for Trump. A minority. The majority of three fifths didn't vote. More than a third of that majority can't vote because of age. Two thirds of the majority lets two fifths of the total decide their future. For several decades polls have said Democrats were almost 20% of the American Population, Just over 20% are Republican and 60% are independents. The few independents who vote decide all national elections.
I grew up in Texas City. It amazes me how segregation was so invisible in our community. The black community lived across Texas Avenue, had separate schools and churches. Their jobs in the chemical plants were limited to the labor union, with only a few black carpenters. If the blacks went to the movies, they had separate entrances, separate bathrooms, even separate sitting in the balcony. I never had a black friend, or even a black acquaintance until I worked in the Labor union while a college student. And we, the white college boys, were usually assigned to be carpenter helpers. Amazing. Today, people are upset about slavery. I think they should be upset about the 100 years of segregation that followed. But back to Texas City, was this hate? Or just ignoring segregation as the status quo. No political party of today is responsible for this. It was the evolution of our society.
John > My biggest memory of those years were the almost universal pleasure we felt when TC was integrated. I remember the TC track team got some excelent team members and some of blacks were more advanced students than we whites. Clasroome discussions improved. It seemed to me most of the objections for integration was from Blacks. I do remember my parents were unhappy when my younger brother had a black girl friend but her manners and conduct were perfect. My dad said she was the product of a good family.
Good news Dolph! You are not in the minority. Your pastor, understanding the message of Jesus Christ apparently showed you that at a young and tender age. One man with courage and conviction is always in the majority.
As for Emmett Till, you missed the greatest and most horrible irony. Look magazine, then the competitor of LIFE, published an article on it 4 months after the acquittals. In it, both murderers admitted their crimes. Such was Mississippi, as you pointed out, no shame.
Mr. Merritt! You probably should be careful with how you explained all of what you presented! I can attest to everything you said as being as TRUE as East Texas Rain! Some people probably gasped when they read what.you posted, and said "Ohhh you mean this went on here?" "In Texas City?' Lolo. You hit the nail right squarely on the head!!!! ( I worked 33 years in those Petrochemical Industries!!!).
The good thing about now juxtaposed to how it use to be is people and times change. Ex. My neighborhood which use to be ALL BLACK has been transformed to be almost NONE BLACK! Now I don't know, because I was relegated to that Segregated Education you spoke of, but I think the world calls this PROGRESS! [thumbup][thumbup]
Gee Ron, where did you grow up? Louisiana?
I’m sorry you had those circumstances with your family. I would be upset with them too.
I grew up catholic, which in itself was a minority of forced circumstances. We were all sent to catholic schools and were looked upon as different from the other kids in our neighborhood. Both of my parents smoked and drank, but they loved us. Neither of them ridiculed me when we choose not to smoke. I still socialize with relatives that do, but no one ridicules each other. Yeah I’ll drink from time to time. I might even have a glass of Basil Hayden small batch tonight outside by the chimenea.
My father supported me when I joined the plumbers union. Everyone of my coworkers back then drank, smoked and cussed but no one excluded me, or ridiculed me for not smoking or even drinking with them after work.
Ron, there is a night club/drive in right down the street from me.
I’ve never been inside it, but from the confederate flags that fly outside I’m sure all of the patrons voted for Trump. They all have the right to their opinion and beliefs, and they are free to display their bigotry, which they do. I don’t like it, but that’s just the way freedom works.
Ron, your situation sounds unique. I sincerely hope you are well now.
I’d even guess that you have more liberal values than the conservative values the current Republican Party claims to have.
Watch your candidate closely to see if he exhibits any of the qualities that you have described in you comments above. I guarantee you that I will and I will point it out when he and his administration does outrageous things in the coming years. I’m not suggesting that you to be a democrat (as I assume that thought would be abhorrent to you), but you may want to join us as did Liz Cheney and others when your candidate fails to live up to your values.
Mr. Gillis, unfortunately I have met enough people to know that my experience is not unique. Just like the number of women that have experienced sexual assault or harassment is much lower than reported.
The good news is that my experience made my faith stronger.
You are correct that I am much more moderate than the extreme right, but still conservative. However, I do not vote for officials for their personal values but for results. Mr. Bill Ackman's list of 33 grievances come very close to why I voted the way I did.
I probably have bigger issues with Governor Abbott, Lt. Governor Patrick and Senator Middleton than President Trump. The tactics of the Texas GOP is what bothers me, not their positions. I abhor abortion, but fighting over Plan B and IVF embryos is as silly as DEMS not placing any limits on abortion.
Another issue that bothers me is how divorce among active church members is the same as unchurched. Shouldn't there be a significant gap?
Mr. Gillis thanks for your support and discussion.
Liz turned on Republicans because they dissed her Father not for any political actions by republicans. Republicans called Cheney a hero until they learned he wasn't.
No. Liz was upset because she was there during an attempted overthrow of the government and her fellow republicans didn’t have the huevos to conduct a meaningful investigation.
I just finished reading "The Barn" right before the election. It reminded me that we must confront evil in whatever form we find it. Building a better world is an ongoing project interrupted by elections. All we can do is speak the truth as we see it. Thank you for sharing these thoughts.
NEIGHBOR,....HOW long has it been since YOU raised a Cold Frosty Bottle of Diet Coke in the air and made a TOAST TO THE GREATEST PRESIDENT AND LEADER THIS PLANET HAS EVER KNOWN?? ( DJ TRUMP ) What? WELL NEIGHBOR,....THAT'S TO LONGGGGGG! [beam][beam][beam]
Charles I salute Trump with diet Pepsi. Is that OK?
You bet Mr. Miller! Diet Pepsi will do! I wonder how many "Bidenites" skilled in "Kamaletics" made that toast though? We may have to inquire...I'd hate to have to give BIG TRUMP, Ramaswamy, and Elon a bad report on this area, but I will if I have to MIND YOU!!!! We mean business with this thing! Lolololololo [angry]
Mr Miller, I can talk to you I know! Hey I was wrong to ask the LEFT for a toast to The Honorable Donald J Trump ...with a cold bottle of Diet Coke!! It was way over the top and frankly I must own that! So to make amends I must say I'm sorry for my actions. 🙏 🙏.
So instead of that toast I WANT EVERY BIDENITE TO TAKE TIME TO LEARN THE "YMCA" DANCE which is sweeping the country and the world now!!!! You can do this in thr privacy of your home and it is NOT TO MUCH TO ASK. We call this dance " THE: TRUMP-M-C-A " DANCE!!!!!
[beam][beam][beam]
I see the Democrats in Pennsylvania have stated they have no intention to obey the law. So I guess no one is above the law except Democrats.
Democrats! Bahhhh Humbug! They will cut your LEFT Leg off, then hand You a RIGHT handed crutch....then promise you the correct crutch is on thr way, and brag about how much MORE they care about you than MAGGAS DO!!!! LOLOLO!
They opened our borders and let the world's Low-Life Criminals, Rapists, Smugglers,Pedophiles, Drug Cartels, Gangs, and Human Traffickers come in or they flew them in under the cover of darkness to keep them hidden from American Citizens and then COMPLAIN ABOUT WHAT IT WILL COST TO DEPORT THEM!
People are dying, from the crimes OF ILLEGALS, Children are being served up to Pedophiles, or Killed by Fentanyl while young girls and women are Raped, Beaten, and Murdered by ILLEGALS and we have the LEFT sit and stir their SOUP, while telling us what a character BIG TRUMP IS!
Well we real Patriots and People who care about Americans and America SPOKE LOUD AND CLEAR ON ELECTION DAY AT THE POLLS! Years ago the late, great SAM COOK put out a song called, " A CHANGE IS GONNA COME!" The majority of Americans said the same [censored] thing a week or so ago at The polls! Not just that ....we are saying the same thing to the SWAMP, and all the UNCLES around the country and in big cities like Chicago who have greased the wheels of the VEHICLES that helped Tear-Down America! People like Alvin Braggs, Mayor Brandon Johnson & Mayor Eric Adams! We want you OUT! Git!!! ( I'm having a lot of fun right now! [rolleyes] ).
Didn’t Ramaswamy advocate for the removing funding for Verterans Affairs.
There’s your first salute.
The Nazi’s marched in Columbus Ohio this weekend, targeting known Jewish and gay neighborhoods. I forget now guys, do I salute with a Diet Coke or a Diet Pepsi for a Nazi event?
Just to be clear the word nazi is short for “national socialist workers party” sounds like a left wing organization to me.
Paul, I find it's less useful to judge a political movement by its name than by who it persecutes. Martin Niemöller can help you with this.
Like the Democrats persecution of African Americans. The Republican party was created to abolish slavery and they succeeded.
Paul, if you're looking for someone to blame for the crime of slavery, you can blame the founding fathers - they wrote slavery into our national constitution, in no less than three places. If you're trying to remind Democrats of their party's racist past, I can assure you that they are well aware of it. If you'd like to learn about the racist past of the Republican Party, I'll refer you to the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates where you can read Lincoln's opinions of African Americans in great detail.
If your intent is merely to attack people who disagree with you, I'll refer you to a certain quote by Margaret Thatcher.
Mr. Stover, I just want to say I find it very distasteful and ruthless for a bunch of individuals who would pass by citizens who were victims of a killer Hurricane tuat destroyed everything they had but the LEFTIST GOVERMENT Representatives passed them up for aid distribution, because they had a TRUMP SIGN in their yard! What a crock of crap!!!! Hey Mr. Stover, they don't miss a chance to help all the ILLEGALS who are pouring in here day and night!
This is proof that they are trying to destroy America and there is no doubt about it! There is no difference in HAMAS & HEZBOLLAH'S mission against Israel than what the LEFT is trying to do here in America! They want to destroy our Exceptionalism, our City ON THE HILL, status! Obama won a Nobel Peace Prize in nine months after his election for promising to do exactly what we see happening in America now! Donald Trump and the MAGGAS are standing in their way! Lastly, I want the LEFT & BIDENITES to learn THAT DANCE BEFORE TRUMP'S Inauguration! [angry][angry]
Acquiring factual knowledge about events that occurred 100 years ago can be challenging. "Shortly after seizing power, the Nazis outlawed the Social Democratic Party and incarcerated its leaders and other leftists perceived as threats to the National Socialist agenda in concentration camps. The Holocaust Encyclopedia states:
Following Hitler's rise to power, SA and Gestapo operatives systematically sought out those opposed to the Nazi party. They detained Socialists, Communists, trade union leaders, and others who had publicly criticized the Nazi regime; some were executed. By mid-1933, the Nazi party had become the sole legal political entity in Germany."
If Dolpin's column reflects the Galveston News mentality, then we need to cancel our subcriptions.
You first Steve.
Mr. Jones I’m not attacking anyone I’m just stating facts.
Two consecutive Life Sentences for the Killer who brutally Raped, Mauled, Assaulted, and Murdered the young nursing student from Georgia ...Ms. Laken Riley! All those years and then somemore IF HE SURVIVES THOSE TWO LIFE SENTENCES WITHOUT PAROLE! I wonder if Big Trump can help me get it to where some of those years can be served by those who facilitated that horrible person coming across our borders unveted? There are some I can think of, and they are NOT ALL located in DC Lololololololololo! I need to find out how the LEFT is coming with learning that TRUMP DANCE TOO!!! NO NEED TO TOAST BIG TRUMP BUT THE BIDENITES NEED TO LEARN THAT DANCE!!!!!!![angry][angry][angry]
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