Although the Mt. Olive float caught me off guard, especially with my son in attendance, this was NOT a "hate whitey" parade as some have suggested.

I will say that my son is 5 and I'm glad he didn't ask me about the white face issue; I wouldn't have known what to say. Actually had he noticed he'd probably have asked if they were clowns

NO ONE made me or my son feel unwelcome (albiet the white face float made me somewhat uneasy). Everyone who approached us or threw candy had a smile on their face. We were even handed flyers to several different church events.

My son was telling me the other day that he learned about Martin Luther King Jr. in his Pre-K class: "He helped people."

The float of young women on the literacy campaign, who handed my son a book, really moved me personally and I like to think that Dr. King would have been immensely proud of that.

Although Mt. Olive's float was in the parade, don't judge it solely on their entry. There were a lot more redeeming content to the event.

It is interesting that posters are asking for an apology from a church for having 'white face' participants in a parade - for one day, when for over 100 years a group of Americans had to endure the indignity of 'black face'. This state, Georgia, built a prosperous economy based on slavery. After the civil war - which emancipated those who worked without pay, this state and others instituted Jim Crow laws, segregation, and the concept of white supremacy. . to continue the hateful legacy of slavery. There are two Georgia lawmakers who are working on a bill that will (hopefully) include an apology for past and current errors regarding race relations - and still honor the 'good' southern traditions. There are many, many blacks who are proud of their southern heritage and traditions. Many blacks are returning to the south because of these traditions, quality of life, etc. The south, without the hateful legacy of slavery, can and should be a leader in American race relations. This constant 'banter' to ask fellow Americans to 'forget' the past and move on is ridiculous. We have moved on - we're here! Should we forget our heritage in order to assuage so-called 'guilt' of others? It will never happen. I know that there are many wonderful Georgians (white) today who only think of the Rebel yell and the Confederate flag as symbols of southern traditions and heritage. There are many Georgians (black and Jewish) who remember the Confederate flag as a symbol carried at lynchings; night raids in black and Jewish neighborhoods; a symbol carried by the terrorist activities of the KKK. People who experienced these events are still alive today. These activities and racial hatred and bigotry are results in our country of the legacy of slavery. If you as an individual never involved yourself in this legacy - God bless you. The state of Georgia did. It is time to acknowledge past wrongs and move on. I look forward to the bill that is being written by black and white leaders in the capital of Georgia. Let the healing begin.

Mayor Nagin Sees Another Racist Plot

Al and Jessy can't be far behind.

For the record, I have absolutely NO 'guilt' concerning the history of slavery in the U.S. NONE. No one is saying you should forget your heritage: you just don't have to dwell on it. Get over it, already! I didn't hold anyone in slavery; nor did my parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents. So what the hell do we have to formally "apologize" for?!?! There is no "healing" that must begin!
YOU are the problem. You insist on focusing on events of the past, and in my opinion, perpetuate racism. Blacks live according to a double-standard. You all EXPECT things. And unfortunately, you get them. I don't believe that we, as a society, should grant you free passes with a LOT of things out of guilt (or maybe fear). Obviously, you do. I think THAT is the real problem we face today. Get over it-- and get over yourself.

PantherPoint for David's Mom? Nah, I think that garbage she just spouted deserves AT LEAST 5 PantherPoints...

You're chomping at the bit for the state of Georgia to apologize for something that happened over 50 years are yet you see no reason that a church should apologize for something they did last month.

"Should we forget our heritage in order to assuage so-called 'guilt' of others? It will never happen."

You don't even know what your "heritage" is.

Why aren’t you demanding an apology from those that sold the black people into slavery in the first place? Well?

I suppose you're going to want reparations next. It will never happen.

Where is the formal apology from Germany for what happened to the Jews?

Where is the formal apology from the United States for what happened to the Irish?

Where is the formal apology from the North for what happened to the South?

Where is the formal apology from the South for what happened to the North?

Where is the formal apology from the United States for what happened to the American Indians?

Where is the formal apology from the Iraq for what happened in Kuwait?

Where is the formal apology from the French for just being French?

Where is the formal apology from you to the rest of us for not knowing how to use paragraphs when you type you dribble?

Unlike you most of us realize that there were plenty of past mistakes to go around for everyone. The vast majority of us understand that concept and just move on hopping that people like you will eventually catch up, get your head out of the sand, learn from past mistakes and move on.

If for some reason you can’t catch up, we’ll look back fro time to time until we can’t see you any more and then we’ll just consider the problem solved.

You don't even know what your "heritage" is.

I know my heritage only for 5 generations in the ‘new world’ and from east Africa (the area around Ethiopia)

Why aren’t you demanding an apology from those that sold the black people into slavery in the first place? Well?

Received that when I visited Africa in 1999. It was a wonderful, emotional meeting with Africans who embraced us, acknowledged that we were sold by Africans to the slave traders – and welcomed us home.

Those other immigrants who were mistreated by the United States – were allowed to identify as ‘white’ – and enjoyed full citizenship. They didn’t have to wait until 1965 to vote in every state in the Union.

You may hear from the American Indian soon.

There was a vent in the AJC that stated that celebrating the Confederacy in Georgia is like celebrating the Third Reich in Germany.

I don’t agree with that. I don’t resent anyone being proud of his or her heritage. There are many schools in Georgia that are teaching ‘the history of the south’ without romanticizing slavery and the results of slavery. When one visits national parks and historical sites in this state, the contributions of Indians and Negroes to the history of Georgia are not overlooked or minimized. It is obvious in observing the day-to-day activities in Fayette County that most citizens realize hatred based on the color of one’s skin is a thing of the past. Thank God.

I feel that Peachtree City and Fayetteville are cities that exemplify the ‘new south’. . . .and I’m proud to live here. You cannot teach ‘history’ honestly by leaving out parts of it. We are a great country for what we have established (a republican form of government which we call a democracy), respect for all religions, races, and sexes. As I watch the children of this county interact with one another – I think the future of our country is in good hands.

Where is the formal apology from you to the rest of us for not knowing how to use paragraphs when you type you dribble?

I apologize. (But just trying to save space – I will use paragraphs in the future)

David’s mom is here to stay.

Have a great day!!

I'm glad you went to the source of the problem......afica!

The source of the problem was the willingness of southerners - 'whites' and some 'blacks'- to pay for a human being as one would pay for a horse. There have been 'slaves' throughout history - and not all were 'black' or came from Africa. The source of the problem is an inability to apply the Golden Rule to those who don't 'look like or act like us'.

The source of the problem was the willingness of southerners - 'whites' and some 'blacks'- to pay for a human being as one would pay for a horse.

I see...It was ALL Whites that were willing to pay for slaves. Are you sure you didn't mean SOME Whites?

The source of the problem is an inability to apply the Golden Rule to those who don't 'look like or act like us'.

You mean like when the Mount Olive Racists put on White Face offending Whitey? Wouldn't the African American community raise everlasting hell if Whitey donned Black Face in a Confederate Memorial Day Parade? Shouldn't the Golden Rule be applied from both races?

It's very clear that YOU are a huge contributor to the race issues we have in this country today. Why don't you just drop it lady. The more you blabber the more you expose your own hateful and bigoted agenda. You don't want to get along...... your agenda is that of revenge and hate as you refuse to stop wagging your finger in Whitey's face. Until we make the past the past there is No hope for reconciliation in our world.

P.S. "The source of the problem was...." Good Grief Lady!!! That was a 150 years ago. Let's focus on today.

The tribes that sold you hold absolutely no blame at all??? Good one.

Were they binge drinking too? That seems to be the excuse that is fashionable at the moment.

where CNN, The AJC, Washington Post, NYT or anywhere else posted the article where the African nation apologized to it's former citizens for it's pervious bad behavior.

If you expect all others to follow your example of going there and getting their apologies individually, I think it's going to take a little longer then you realize. Please let me know how that turns out.

Your thoughtfulness of trying to save space on the internet is absolutely priceless. People with your keen grasp of reality are probably waiting anxiously for the day when you reach the last page as well.

If you need an apology in order to function as a contributing member of society then, "I apologize to you for what your ancestors did to your race". Does that work for you?

Please don’t go away angry, just go away.

P.S. it’s getting more difficult to see you back there. You’re falling behind even faster than I thought you could.

We're back to the abortion, is the black face far behind?

Didn't you watch CNN, ABC, ETC. during the period of 'reconciliation' in South Africa? DeKlerk (white), Mandela (African), and Bishop Tutu (African) did a marvelous job in leading a country that had suffered many years from Apartheid on the road to good racial relations.

Whites and Blacks apologized to each other for the horror that occurred in that country. Please don't respond to this - it just validates your lack of knowledge and understanding. I am aware that there are those who disagree with my point of view - and I learn from those that are expressed without anger. But facts are facts - it is the interpretation of those facts that separate many. I'm still here - just ignore me.

"Ours had never been a marriage of love," de Klerk writes in The Last Trek of his government partnership with Mandela after South Africa's first free elections in 1994. "We had come from very different backgrounds and our families didn't get on very well with one another. We had been forced together to legitimize the new South Africa. Now the honeymoon was over. We greeted each other politely; we ran the household jointly, and tried to keep up appearances. We only remained together for the sake of our joint offspring."

Although Mandela and de Klerk were often presented as South Africa's reconciled Janus, their relationship was fraught and confrontational. The subtitle of The Last Trek might just as well be "How Mandela Wronged Me" for its detailed documentation of the slights and abuses de Klerk suffered at the old man's hands. But South Africa's last white leader has never been able to wrap his head around the fundamental shift in power that he initiated. In the eyes of Mandela, the ANC, and South Africa's black majority, de Klerk was more a midwife than a parent, and not an altogether trustworthy one at that.

P.S. I read, a lot!

. . .and I read a lot also. At least they (DeKlerk and Mandela) worked at reconciliation; both were honest enough to articulate their differences.

Quoted from DeKlerk:

We had come from very different backgrounds and our families didn't get on very well with one another. We had been forced together to legitimize the new South Africa. Now the honeymoon was over. We greeted each other politely; we ran the household jointly, and tried to keep up appearances. We only remained together for the sake of our joint offspring."

Instead of 'whites' and 'blacks' baiting one another over 'history' 'guilt' 'the past' - it is time for honest attempts at reconciliation of the history of this country and it's consequences; recognizing the truth of one another's perception of history and the present. My history is part of American history - and I won't forget it nor will my children. Thank heavens - with history being taught correctly - none of our 'offspring' will 'forget'. . . but be reconciled to living together as Americans with equal responsibility and equal rights. I think the 'joint offspring' in South Africa will not take over 100 years to benefit from the efforts of Mandela and DeKlerk.

I could also find an excerpt from a speech of Mandela that would make DeKlerk less of a leader. . . but these men both overcame personal feelings in order in insure a better future for their 'offspring'.

They both are to be commended.

Please ignore me . . . my comments are for others to think about. You have made it quite clear that you are sick and tired of ‘blacks’ making you feel guilty; resent ‘blacks’ expressing a desire for their history to be validated; etc. etc. etc.

I am not a person who makes hateful statements regarding ‘whites’. I am a ‘black’ who is proud of my heritage; and have lived for many years as an American of color. Prejudice, bigotry and ignorance are not only found in the South. Unfortunately to an American of color – being confronted with prejudice, bigotry, and ignorance regarding race relations, has been an unfortunate reality in my life. Thank God that is changing!! I thank the citizens of Fayetteville and Peachtree City for making my American dream a reality.

Have a nice evening bad_ptc and others of your sort.

is that if David IS a human (and not a dog as previously suggested), there will be another racist running around spouting the same CRAP in a few years. You may feel better about the direction of our country, David's Mom, but you are the reason I DON'T.

I guess I am one of the bad_ptc 'sorts' so here you go:

You should have named David 'Chip'. He could have even been "Chip Jr."

Since you like to read, try reading Jesse Peterson's book "Scam".

After reading your diatribe I can only conclude that your persona is so deeply entrenched with such a deep seated, stereotypical and racist view of ‘whites’ that you are completely oblivious to your own prejudices.

Your ‘old school’ act of “I am a victim” has long played out and no one here was a victim nor a victimizer. Please get beyond your shallow attempts at playing the martyr and move in to the age of individual responsibility.

Try this logic on for size: If blackface and the stereotypes associated with it are wrong – so is whiteface and the stereotypes associated with it.

As for your trip to the mother land (if your mother was 1 billion starving natives in a dustbowl where they practice genocide), I couldn’t care less what Nelson “the wife beating terrorist” Mandela has to say or has said in the past. He’s about as credible as Al “Tawana-Brawley” Sharpton and Jesse “My Mistress’ Baby” Jackson, or Bas- “mouth breathing” mati..

Bottom line: when America starts to look to Africa (South Africa or otherwise) as an example for anything other than how to waste seeds or tribal warfare training techniques (how to burn a native using old tires) then we are more lost than dollaradayandfound in a logic thinking workshop.

Thanks for saying what most of us are thinking!!

I agree with you, and I couldn't have said it any better. I feel sorry for David, if there is a David.

There really is a David. It's her pet schnauzer. He's the only one that will listen to her for any length of time.

Your anger is showing. Use the spell checker - and calm down. I trust that calmer minds will prevail - and the majority of citizens in Fayette County will celebrate the racial climate that exists here; acknowledge that all are proud of their heritage and that the Golden Rule is an instrument of peace for the world.

My kids have been learning about Martin Luther King Jr. also in school. My wife was able to share her childhood remembrances of the water fountains at Rich's. This made for a great family discussion on how we should treat our neighbors.

I'm curious though...How would you have explained the "white face" episode? We've already discussed the bus issues of years past. Now I'm going to have to start explaining to my kids that some people relish the past and dwell on it in an attempt to justify their own hatred. They're already getting the message that they are cause of the black communities woes. I sure wish they could keep the innocence they have and carry it into adulthood. Shamefully......that won't happen.

Kids here are really being taught that they are the cause of the black communities problems??

That kills me, I believe you, and it kills me.

Do black people and the Mt. Olive people think they are the only ones who have the corner market on the pony-tail, frivolous lawsuit, poor-me game??

I do not understand why a black church would put on white-face and ride a bus in a parade. Pretty stupid in these days, especially when it is not a play where everyone knows what is going on! I know the significance to the blacks---they had to ride a bus that way until the 1960s, white in front, black in the back. I never did understand that either, nor why most bus lines in the southern cities turned out to be strictly for blacks. Apparently the whites did not want to ride with the blacks if they weren't seperated on the bus. The blacks didn't have much choice about riding a bus if they wanted to go anywhere or work. They Couldn't afford cars and were afraid to drive them due to the punishment administered if they had a wreck with a white person. None made enough money to buy and run one either.
I also know about the old tales of their "odor" and such, and not wanting to sit next to a black, but they apparently didn't have an odor when they came to cook and clean in a house? Most of us smell pretty much alike, depending upon how often we can or will bathe. Even if we didn't, we are all humans.
Now, slavery. I can't believe that I personally would ever have bought a person, black, yellow, or white, and pretended to "own" them. That is much easier to say now than it would have been in the 1700s or the 1800s. Still, think.
If one ponders about it, the labor was needed as there were not enough living on a plantation to work it. Somewhat like now, when we hire Mexicans and South Americans to perform the menial labor we have.
The BIG difference is that they now can go home if they want to do so.
The tales of blacks liking their plight due to food and shelter being furnished for nothing more than a daylight to dark work function, and the old and young were tolerated by the master.
I have seen their shelter as compared to the master's! I would suspect that if they chose to raise enough garden after dark, they could eat pretty good.
I don't want to discuss whipping slaves, or killing them. Other than to say it was done at will, with no law involvement.
What does all this have to do with now? Not much, except to say that it takes hundreds of years apparently to remove certain traits of heritage and location in a race of humans. Remember how the Irish, Italians, Gypsies, Chinese, etc., lived when they first got here?
Most of those people did assimilate quickly here. Why?
You tell me.
Just consider if millions of Americans were forcibly taken to deep Africa over a hundred years and enslaved. Would we adapt, or fight forever?

Remember how the Irish, Italians, Gypsies, Chinese, etc., lived when they first got here?
Most of those people did assimilate quickly here. Why?
You tell me

The European Americans that you list were considered 'white'. What assimilation of the Chinese? Throughout the US they lived in 'China Towns' and they were included in the restrictive covenants found in most real estate contracts.

Sorry. I didn't mean to mislead you. Let me clarify. They are now being taught that they are the cause in school. On balance their school is doing a very fair job of teaching MLK and civil rights issues.

My comments are that they are hearing that they are the problem from society itself and the media.

That makes me feel better.

The whole Mt. Olive thing in the parade is still disturbing.

The articles in the citizen didn't really clearly distinguish between the entire parade and the Mt. Olive "float".

Perhaps it was because you chose to use the photo of the Mt. Olive section. Even more likely, we are offended because no one had the courage or fortitude to call it what it is: hypocritical, unnecessary, prejudice, hurtful, and discriminatory.

I too would at least like to know that the pastor at Mt. Olive understands why he has hurt and upset so many people.

I recall the old Lion club's black-face shows annually of the 40-50s. They were similar to the movies of the time about black entertainment. They raised money for their projects.
I can't imagine why anyone would put on a reverse black-face nowadays. However as long as it is peaceful they have the right.
I suppose those of you who are terribly upset about this parade know how the blacks felt in the 40-50s. It is no excuse however to continue such a useless thing.

I'll take your word for it. But it looks pretty bad.

John,
Please interview Rev. Johnson. I for one, would like to hear what he has to say about Mt. Olive's part in the MLK parade.
I'm happy that your experience at the parade with your son was good.

That explains alot of things. Thanks for pointing that out.

I have one question for our little John DeCotis. When is Jewish History Month????? When is it, and you need to think carefully before you answer that question. Well when is it????

You bet your butt, this is reflective of our school system!! John DeCotis is bowing down afraid he might be hit by a lawsuit for being racist, just like every other person at the board of education. They are merely working for a salary!

John DeCotis in the MLK parade!
Your questions hit the nail on the head!

Still waiting for the apology for the shameful "white-face" bus of fools.

Well, you are not going to get it. Bull Conner never did apologize!

"Well, you are not going to get it. Bull Conner never did apologize!"

Let me see if I understand your statement correctly. Bull Conner, a racist, did not apologize. So you are then equating Mt. Olive Church to Bull Connor (a racist) and therefore, there is no need for an apology? Is that correct?

Mt. Olive Baptist Church -

This will continue to be an issue in this community until you apologize. The sooner you apologize, the sooner the healing can begin. The healing could take several decades, and may require reparations.

It will become an issue if they do that. You are the only one now that it is an issue it seems.
They are smarter than that and probably see no reason to aopligize.
Besides apoligizing anymore when people don't like what you said or did is getting old.

We will never be able advance future race relations in this country until we get past our past. And letting go of the past is something that so many refuse to do. I hope our children can see past all this BS......although I doubt it.

Your new photo is too cool. Interesting that blog has not heard from Mt. Olive lately, seems they have nothing to say for themselves. I agree with other comments here, I don't believe there will be an apology. Also find it interesting that no one has picked up this story . . .had this parade been the other way around, black-faced marchers . . .ooooweeee all the news trucks would be out!

My intent is to keep this offensive icon up in honor of Mount Olive Baptist Church's hateful MLK celebration and their use of "white face" to depict their agenda of living in the past and not living for the future. Until these bigots quit living off the past we will never have a united future together. My goodness folk...the past is the past and neither I nor my children were apart of it. The fact is that neither were many of them. Let's move on....I'm ready.

The real problem is that many of these people use MLK's name in vain. The "MLK god" they worship is not the Martin Luther King who preached peace, equality and oneness among the peoples. The "MLK god" these hate mongers use is a god of hate, racism, retaliation, and violence. These clowns that wear their "MLK god" on their sleeves are an abomination to the peaceful and uniting message of the late and great Rev. Martin Luther King.

So in honor of their false god I will sacrifice the Lion and wear black face in honor of their white face all the way through Black History Month.

I know where you are coming from and I totally agree. Keep your icon of honor . . .but you ARE going to have to bring back the lion.

I don't believe there are many more accepting than I when it comes to our black brothers and sisters. I have acquaintances that call me "mom" or "madea", I have many black friends, and co-workers. In fact, I've been called on the carpet for "siding with; understanding; defending" black co-workers. However, I must say, the white-face thing did upset even me. I understand their feelings of being held back for hundreds of years; I do understand their feeling of lack of equality; I do understand . . .yet it is as you say, we had nothing to do with that! Hello. . .remember the past, learn from the past, but concentrate on making it better, building bridges rather than bringing them down in one morning's parade! And admit that you may have been out of line, Mt. Olive we're awaiting that apology, or at least say something, you're getting a lot of bad press here.

It has been my experience, when someone whines about not having equality, what they really want is superiority. The "mou oli" (ebonic translation of Mt. Olive, say it outloud and you'll see) fiasco reinforces this. Blacks had equality for about one second when affirmative action came into existence, then because of this action, ties now go to the minority. I'm all for equality, but what is going on here is unfair to all involved.

The memories of a man in his old age, are the deeds of a man in his prime.You shuffle in the gloom of the sick room,and talk to yourself as you die.
(R. Waters)

If both sides really made a sincere effort of forgiveness and reconciliation. Short of God himself coming down and cracking the whip I fear that is merely a pipe dream on our part.

This Fayetteville parade incident just took us back 40yrs. Way to go!

They sent us a hate message, that was their intent. They won't apologize. The city of Fayetteville should apologize and vow never to hold a parade in support of hate mongers.
Since the black community uses mlk day and black history month to celebrate hate, let's vow to stop supporting it.

Hate is never the right answer, and it shouldn't be celebrated. I for one am sick of celebrating there hate whitey holidays.

then it is to my garbage service (who didn't run Monday) and credit union (who was closed Saturday & Monday in observance of MLK day). I think if the post office is closed and the mail doesn't run, then it's an official holiday.

The city of Fayetteville will never comment on the Mt. Olive fiasco.

They like to ignore things, they don't like controversy.

They have a hard time forgetting mostly the 1950-60s treatment in the south. Long before you were born. They would be better off however if they did.

has been smeared all over every major newspaper/channel, so why shouldn't this story??? Oh, my bad, it's a racial statement against whites so it's not news worthy!!!

I just wanted to take a couple of quotes out of an article that ran in The Citizen on January 9, 2007 announcing the upcoming MLK Day parade:

“We want to invite everyone who wishes to participate in the parade to celebrate the diversity and unity of the Fayette County community.” (As quoted by Reverend Ed Johnson, chairman of the Parade Committee and president of the Fayette County Branch of the NAACP.)

“The continued objective, from the very first parade, is to bring all of Fayette County together in harmony in the effort to celebrate and demonstrate belief in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s philosophy of racial equality and brotherly love for all mankind,” said Rev. Johnson.

It looks to me like Mt. Olive did exactly the opposite of what Reverend Ed Johnson was looking for in this “celebration”. Perhaps Rev. Johnson could shed some light on what Mt. Olive’s real agenda is since we all know we’ll never get another response from them. So, Reverend Johnson if you’re out there, what’s your take on all of this? Do you support what Mt. Olive did, and do you think that kind of action supports Dr. King’s philosophy?

Bud

Reverend Johnson and the parade committee have worked to confirm the participation of local and regional politicians, including State Sen. Valencia Seay, State Rep. Virgil Fludd , State Rep. Roberta Abdul Salaam and Fayette County Schools Superintendent Dr. John DeCotis.

Question....Did State Senator Ronnie Chance decline? How about State Rep Dan Lakly? Lyn Wastemoreland? How about Horgan,Frady, Smith, Pfeifer, Maxwell. Was our tax commissioner George invited. How about CJ our coroner? Martha soon to be Kiser (Probate Judge)? Was Kenny Melear invited? Oh wait....not him he's a racist like you guys.

It appears if they were invited and they declined then it was truly a wise decision on their part.

This is exactly the kind of thing that Martin Luther King, Jr. did not want to happen to our society. I have a lot of respect for what he did for this country. If he were alive today, he would be appalled by this disgusting image you portray. His dream was for everyone to live in peace and harmony, live together as one nation. To accomplish that a person has to REMEMBER the past, learn from mistakes and be sure to teach our children the lessons learned from those mistakes. Don’t teach them the same mistakes. You don’t accomplish anything by LIVING in the past and digging up all the hate and violence. If you do that, racism, hatred and violence will continue to travel in a circle throughout our society forever. (Notice the emphasis on REMEMBER and LIVING. Those are two different things. REMEMBER the past but LIVE for the future)

I am a white man with many friends of all races, colors, nationalities, you name it. Any civilized, well educated person, whether black or white, knows that this type of action is reprehensible. I do not discriminate against anyone. I can only imagine what might have happened had I slathered my face with shoe polish and marched down the street portraying a slave on Confederate Memorial Day. By the way, did you “teach” the children at this church that it was in fact some of your own people (Africans) that traded the first slaves that were brought to America? Probably not, I would assume. That’s probably a little too much truthful information.

You see Mt. Olive Church (Notice I leave out "Baptist", a true Christian would NEVER do something like this), you need to stop living in the past and trying to teach your children to hate. I've worked hard to teach my children to love everyone, but when something like this happens, it only raises questions that frankly, I can't answer. Teach your children to love all, go to school, be educated and have a career. By teaching them to "hate whitey" all you're doing is telling them that it's OK to discriminate. It's not OK.

If you people believe that you are true Christians and understand what the Bible teaches us, you will issue a formal public apology. Please don't portray our community as bigoted and racist. The vast majority of white people do not hate. I’d like to believe the same about blacks. But when I see things like this, it’s not very convincing.

Bud

I think one of my sons posts comments on here, but he refuses to admit it.
If you're not my son Bud, you sure do write like him, and I would be proud to call you son.
My husband and I always taught our children to love, not hate someone because of their color or nationality.

It's time to apologize Mt. Olive!

Personally I (a white guy) don’t care if anyone wears whiteface for whatever reason. And I am willing to accept Mt. Olive’s contention – as stated by the above spokesperson – that it was all well-intentioned.

However I do wonder why an MLK Day celebration must always seem to focus on “depicting past conditions.” That’s just a veiled phrase for “what all the evil white southerners used to do to us.” Are there really many people – kids or adults – who don’t know what the conditions used to be? Or does it simply feel good to dramatize how badly people with your skin color were treated back in some increasingly distant old days? And what subtle message does that send to the kids – that they should be glad to live in a society that could be led to a better place by someone like MLK? That they should dedicate themselves to taking advantage of the more equal opportunities they enjoy? Or that they should be eternally pissed off about the old days and forever blame white people for whatever goes wrong in life?

If you’re going to accurately depict conditions of the civil rights era, how about also depicting some of the many white folks who aided the movement? How about depicting people in the White House, Congress and statehouses who worked hard to change laws to outlaw discrimination and assure equal opportunity? Or the white-owned press that kept attention on these issues? How about depicting the billions and billions of dollars spent on various social programs designed to benefit the black community?

Most of all, how about depicting MLK as what he was: an intellectual, highly educated, self-made, thoughtful, articulate and gracious man who led with the power of ideas and logic, not by playing on the emotion of victimhood.

This is racism at it's worst.

I have been damaged by this racism, I can't eat, I can't sleep, I can't concentrate at work(if I can even go to work). I can't shop in Fayetteville, because of this blatant racism and hate towards me...a white person.

I need a pony-tail lawyer....someone needs to pay for these damages big time.

Git Real let me know when we are having our demonstration,....playing by the rules the "church" has laid out for us, of course.

You were "...celebrating what the conditions were..." Are you kidding me?

You know what, not only are you being racially insensitive to white people, you are twisting reality. There is nothing to celebrate in what some whites did to some blacks under the lawful but immoral eyes of the government.

But before you think I know first hand, let me make you aware of something. “We” do not celebrate racism in white face or black face or any other face. I do not have to stick my hand in a meat grinder to know it would hurt like heck.

If you want to discuss history, recall that not all whites were involved in segregation, lived in the south, or participated, saw, or stood by indifferent to any form of segregation or racism in our lifetime (other than the Black Ms. America Pageant, the Black Entertainment Network, The Black Congressional Caucus, all Black Colleges, and the United Negro College Fund, the double standard on the ‘N’ word, Black History Month, KWANZA, Minority Set-Asides, Affirmative Action, and a host of other programs designed to sidestep ‘Whites”.)

In fact, segregation was outlawed in 1964. The civil rights act would not have been passed without a majority of “whitefaces” voting to support it. That also means anyone under the age of 43 has no memory of, and no guilt or association with, the impish “whitefaces” on your little bus ride. Many others were too young to remember or lived in non-segregated areas. All “whitefaces” are not the same.

So, MtOliveBaptist, How long are you going to beat me over the head with something that (did not happen to you if you were under 45 and) was not done by me? Should we arrest and punish all of the parents of the thugs and criminals that commit crimes and then fine them, their kids, their grandkids and on and on for the crime of that one ignorant criminal?

Do you suppose that in the future you can have a parade with your mountain, drum major, MLK look alike, Coretta look alike, girlfriend look alike, and anything else you would like in your parade but leave the insensitive 'hate whitey' clown show extravaganza out of it?

I agree. Such nastiness.

Well said mywordmark and Git Real.
I'm over 50 and I have never been a racist.
I'm color blind.
I stand by the comments I made yesterday.

I understand your message. Thanks for the clarification. So I will assume that you will understand when I paint my white face black and portray myself as a Clayton or Fulton County gangsta thug who is preying on the citizens of Fayette County. I am very appreciative that you've helped me understand that this would be an acceptable demonstration and portrayl of the plight of white families in Fayette county. Again...thank you. As long as I know the rules I will understand how to play the game.

just try it and see how many blocks down the street you get! You know that street don't run both ways! When they do it it is history and learning, when we do it we are racist. Remember Ted Danson, just to mention one . . .and his date was black and she thought it was funny. . .go figure!

How's that JaneAnnDoe? But you are wrong. The street does run both ways with these race issues. You watch. The black people won't mind my new picture because they know I post it as a historical object. The fine people at Mount Olive Baptist Church set the precedent and said it was ok. You just watch how friendly folk are gonna be to me.

These are interesting points about race relations. To what extent is this debate about "unity" and to what extent is it about "self interest" and "entitlement" ?

It is interesting to perceive that it is reprehensible for a white person to use the "N" word (and I agree) but it is perfectly acceptable diction when a black person refers to another black person by the "N" word. Do we need separate dictionary references? In one context the word constitutes a "fighting word" and in another context it constitutes a term of endearment. Is this not disunity?

To what extent are black leaders interested in unity ? I have my doubts. What has the NAACP done for the Native Americans, the Latinos or the scores of immigrants from Asia ? While the NAACP has demanded reparations for slaves, why do they not also demand reparations for the west coast Americans of Japanese descent who were interned and dispossessed after Pearl Harbor? I used to respect Rep. John Lewis. Not any more. He ran political ads in the last campaign for Fulton Committee Commission Chairman warning that the white Republicans would bring back the "dogs and hoses" of Birmingham Police Chief Eugene "Bull" Conner from the 1960's. Get real. He also shrilly warned that "our lives may depend on it." That is not unity. That is a pointed appeal to divisive self-interest.

I do continue to admire Dr. King, despite his faults (most notably his adultery). A great man, though. Food for thought....Dr. King's role model was Mohandas Gandhi who was truly all about unity. This is the example we should follow. Gandhi tried desparately to unite the Muslims, the Hindu and the Sikhs. He was so willing to compromise that even his own Hindu people complained and, ultimately, he was assasinated by a fellow Hindu. Do Andrew Young and Jesse Jackson (both supposedly "Reverends") follow the same example of unity?

You are my hero! Now if Richard wasn't sooooo busy doing book reports on someone he doesn't like; he would be free to help me with my lawsuit.

I have been damaged physically, mentally, my self-esteem has been damaged by this whole incident.(the hating of white people) My quality of life in Fayette has been harmed, because of this blatant reverse racism that was displayed in Saturdays parade.

You just go on with your bad self! I'm with you, though watching my back. . .thanks for brightening my morning again.

let me know when we can plan this black face portrayal, I'll be there right beside you.

I'm proud to say I belong to the most oppressed, beat-down, mistrusted, unappreciated and abused faction in this country. I seem to be responsible for all the ills, hate and any other bad thing you might think of and I'm tired of it. I think I may have to quit work, commit crime, and live off the government to get some measure of respect from the masses. (By the way, I am a middle class, middle aged, worked continually, paid my bills, raised a family, christian white male and I apologize for everything that anyone ever did to anybody from the beginning of time).

I was careless in not distinguishing between the two. How foolish of me to think Jesse Jr. is a Senator when he is actually just a mere United States Congressman. He also has FIVE HONORARY Doctorates. I should have addressed him more properly as as Dr. Jesse Jackson Jr..

As far as your proliferation of the unfounded comment that "they all look alike", that is a stereotype I have heard used for years by racists toward, whites, blacks, Asians, Hispanics, and others – and it speaks volumes that you are the only one who raised it; however, it raises an interesting question. Why the whiteface? Is it so we will all look alike?

That subliminal slip of a remark combined with your prejudicial assumption that we are all waiving guns on this blog reveals just how shallow your character really is.

I think we have all seen your kind before. You were not only sitting in the front of that bus fifty years ago you were doing it again last weekend. Your disdain for yourself and others is obvious. I can only comprehend the previous.

On a more friendly note, thank you for exposing yourself as a prejudicial, hate whitey (self hating), bigot. It keeps us from having to expend the time or effort exposing you as one.

Perhaps you should go to the Oynxx and enjoy a drink with Coke12. I am sure you two have much in common and it might help relieve your stress.

I believe may be a congressman unless his name is Barack. But I am sure to you "they" all look alike.