"Get out of town!"

[Rick336]

It looks like the Equality Riders are running into police hostility down in Clinton, Mississippi. According to reports, the Clinton police threatened arrest of the bus driver if he didn't get the bus out of town immediately.

Apparently the Equality Rider's bus has somehow traveled back in time to 1960. I bet of all the possible senarios they prepared for, they never imagined a time warp.

Rick

[kara speltz]

Originally Posted by Rick336

It looks like the Equality Riders are running into police hostility down in Clinton, Mississippi. According to reports, the Clinton police threatened arrest of the bus driver if he didn't get the bus out of town immediately.

Apparently the Equality Rider's bus has somehow traveled back in time to 1960. I bet of all the possible senarios they prepared for, they never imagined a time warp.

Rick

Actually they did prepare for similar situations. One of the people who led the training was retired minister Rev. Phil Lawson, who was a long time civil rights leader. His brother James Lawson was the person who trained the Nashville Lunch Counter folks. Rodney Powell, one of the young people that James Lawson trained and who was involved in the Nashville sit ins has time and time again talked about the fact that at some point in time we would face such opposition, especially in the south. I have no doubt that given the route planned by the Riders they expected some of this. This is where the pavement meets the road, as they say. This is the King/Gandhi tradition and the students have been well trained in it. This is why I have so much respect for these young people.

What's truly amazing is that after that harassment last night, these courageous young people are still committed to being in Clinton to day. My prayers are with them.

Kara

[NathanATX]

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/...up-Arrests.php

[Tinkerbell047]

It honestly doesn't surprise me. Having lived in the Bible Belt for years non-acceptance from the deep south is nothing too shocking. It's wrong, but not too shocking.

My prayers are with them for their safety as they travel.

-Tink

[scott snedeker]

" You Can't win. If you strike me now Darth, I will become more powerful than you can imagine!"

Did STAR WARS come out in Mississippi yet? (Been 30 years BTW)

They are playing into our hands like they read the script!

[MCstudent]

I'm 18, female, straight, conservative, Baptist, and a Christian Studies major....and glad that the Equality Ride stopped at my school.

I've grown up in this general area of Mississippi all of my life. You might could say I haven't ever really been able to 'get outside the bubble' so to speak, for a prolonged period of time. However, I, like many other people in my area, am open for discussion, for dialog, to show love, to welcome SF. I want to apologize on behalf of the MC Student Body for the words and actions of the MC administration and the Clinton Police Department. Their extreme opposition was not a common feeling among the vast majority of students here.

Granted, I was extremely hesitant about the Equality Ride coming at first, but then I researched them, educated myself about them so I would be sure not to be misinformed by everything I was hearing about SF from people around me. What I was afraid of was Fred Phelps' group that said they were coming to 'combat SF efforts' but never showed(thankfully- I would have had a few not so nice words to say to them if I had run into one of them). Myself and others were concerned it might turn violent if they showed up.

Overall, I felt it was a really positive experience, for everyone on our campus. Granted, there were those who did not want them there, but even I was opposed in the beginning. I made an effort to step out of my comfort zone, and talk to people I've never met before, who share different views than I do, who I felt I couldn't possibly have anything in common with. After coming out to see them, picnicking with them at the park, talk with them...I realized I could find at least one thing in common with each person I talked to, and I made an effort to understand their point of view, to understand their side of their argument, to understand their justifications...

I left the park today realizing that these people have suffered a great injustice. I will never be able to fully realize the extent of these injustices, because I cannot put myself in their shoes, experience what they're experiencing. I'm glad I had the privilege to talk to people who are so dedicated to a cause that they've risked everything for it. Talking with Robin Reynolds today at the park was a very rewarding thing. I can tell that she is a Godly woman, that she loves our Lord with a passion, and it pains me to know that as a fellow Christian, she is being treated that way.



As someone who's grown up in a very conservative household having always been told 'homosexuality is bad' and having been told by my father a few days prior to SF's arrival to 'steer clear of those (insert antigay word here)', I know I have a lot to think and pray about. It pained me to tears when I heard those words come out of my dad's mouth, because as a Christian, I told him, it is not my place to judge anyone else. I realized today that it is an issue of Civil Rights. I wanted to hear their side, to learn, to be informed, and now I have been. They made me think and I like that.

I took a lot of pictures yesterday and today, you can view them at :
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ngs/SoulForce/

[andrewlittle]

Since you didn't post an introductory thread, which is perfectly acceptable BTW (no criticism in this whatsoever), I would like to take the opportunity to welcome you to Soulforce forums.

As to the rest of what you said - let's see - all I can muster is, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow."

You, MCstudent, are a credit to your conservative, Baptist, Christian tradition - and I think a joy for God.

You are living proof that someone can have deeply seated theological and religious perspectives that undergird their faith, and even when dialoging with people who believe differently than you, your faith does not evaporate into thin air and leave you at the mercy of "evil". Your faith, I presume is intact, and yet you have heard, and appreciated I might add, different viewpoints.

You just demonstrated what loving as Christian sisters and brothers, while disagreeing on the details, looks like.

May God bless you and keep you - you, you, you beautiful child of God, you.

Andy

P.S. And thank you so much for the link to pictures.

[Rick336]

MCstudent,

Thanks for your kind and eloquent words. You have enlightened me to the ridged stereotypes we so often have about Mississippi. Your home state has not been treated kindly in the entertainment industry from which we Americans form so many of our opinions.

While reading your entry, I think what impressed me the most was your intelligence and maturity at such a young age. You're 18. When I was your age, me and my buddies were still making crank calls on the telephone and throwing water balloons at cars. You certainly show much more maturity and responsibility than I did at 18.

You and the Equality Riders have given me renewed optimism about the future of our country. With compassionate, intelligent young folks like yourselves, our future sure looks brighter.

I also want to apologize about my joke suggesting your state is living 45 years in the past. I'm sure there are as many different opinions and points of view in Mississippi as there are different types of gay people living there.

Besides, I know better. I also live in the South. And I know that even though Southerners may be slow to change, it doesn't mean we can't change. In my state, we used to elect Jesse Helms every year. Now it's John Edwards.

I hope that those folks in Mississippi who lost so much from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina will continue to rebuild their lives. I will continue to pray for their recovery.

Thanks for writing to us.

Rick

[u-dog]

Dear MCstudent,

Thank you for your kind, thoughtful, compassionate, and ultimately Christian words. First let me tell you how impressed I am that you got Andrewlittle to be nice. You can't believe what a curmudgeon that man is.

Second, as the father of three articulate, thoughtful, kind, compassionate, Christian college students, I am not as surprised by your remarks as Rick is. I know that there are many, many, many amazing young people among your generation of all political and theological stripes who are not out "water bombing" cars .

I encourage you to continue in the path of Jesus upon which you have so obviously embarked. He spent most of his ministry with -- and most of his energy on -- the people that society looked down upon and found disgusting and unclean. When he was born it was foreigners (the magi) and shepherds (vile, smelly people) that were invited to witness and welcome him. When he died and was raised it was for all human beings. Keep your heart and mind open and your eyes on Jesus and God bless you.

Dave

[scott snedeker]

You are the proof that the world is becoming a kinder place each day! And you are making it happen.

You show me that my generalization about Mississippi is unfair and I apologize. My Comment should have had a more evolved sensibility. The message intended was that oppression cannot win against civil disobedience. I could have written such without the jab, unfair to so many!

[dewdrop_world]

Originally Posted by Rick336

It looks like the Equality Riders are running into police hostility down in Clinton, Mississippi. According to reports, the Clinton police threatened arrest of the bus driver if he didn't get the bus out of town immediately.

Hmm... I'm curious what the charge would have been. Maybe it's simply that the bus put the words "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered" out in public.

I wasn't aware that was a criminal offense. I always thought, you know, the Constitution had a few things to say about that.

James

[Daniel]

Welcome to SF.

Your post gave me goosebumps. And reminded me of the time, many years ago, when I was your age, I heard my beloved grandmother use the "N" word when speaking about those who lived in the 'projects' a few miles from her house. It shocked me to the core. And made me wince. How could the person that I loved so much feel that way about other people, and get that look of distain on her face? I think I was speechless at that moment.

However, your response and words to your father show us all what the heart of nonviolence is: you stood up for truth and did not condemn, either him or the ERiders themselves. Thank you for keeping your mind, heart and ears open to new experience.

Thank you for realizing that the cause here is one of Civil Rights. Your words touch me to the very depths.

You are most welcome here.

[MCstudent]

Let me start by saying thank you all for such a warm welcome (I just now posted in the welcome section, btw). I'm surprised I got so many responses.

I hope to be around here a good bit, even if I'm not posting, to at least stay up to date and read posts. I'm here because I want to learn, so I'll try to get involved with discussions if I can. Feel free to private message me as well

You've been an encouragement to me, to show that I can in some way 'bridge the gap', so to speak, with people that have opposing views. I also am please to know that I've served to disprove many of the common stereotypes we Mississippians get (kind of like when I was in Chicago a few years back, this little girl I met was surprised I wore shoes- but thats besides the point).

Andrew- my faith is still very much in tact I'm also shocked to hear that I was able to 'get you to be nice' haha, and in my first post of all things!

And Rick-I'm glad that I was able to disprove a sterotype and 'enlighten' you a little bit, haha. This isn't the first time I've been told 'how mature I am', up until last week it was "You act so much older than 17!" ( I graduated from high school a year early, turned 18 last week) thank you for continuing to pray for Katrina victims. Even though the media doesn't give it coverage anymore, theres still so much work to be done, debris still to be clear, lives still struggling to rebuild. I drove by the along the beach a couple weeks ago, and there are still parts of cars, parts of houses, whole trees, etc sticking up out of the water, embedded in the sand. I think we're all beginning to fully adjust now though. Thanks

Dave- As mature as I am for my age, believe me, living in the dorm here, I still play my fair share of pranks, lol....College wouldn't be college without them. Thank you for the encouragement in my walk with my amazing Jesus It means a lot.

Scott- thanks for the affirmation that I'm helping to make a difference. Unlike Fred Phelps (who claims to follow the Baptist ideology- the idiot, he makes me want to puke) the message of Jesus was not hate and condemnation, but love and forgiveness and salvation.

Daniel- Thanks for the welcome The experience I had with my dad Thursday truly made me cry. After he said that, he saw I had tear and said "whats the matter? Did I upset you?" I responded saying "well yeah, because these are people dad, and even if I don't agree with their views, its not my place to judge them, I'm not even going to pretend to be God." He responded sarcastically saying "Yes I know, your father is a close minded descriminating bigot stuck in his ways." All I can do is pray that he will seek to learn more, to show love. God's blessed me with love and compassion for the human race, and it pains me greatly to see people treated so unfairly by other human beings, people made in God's image. This, above all thing, has lead me to believe it is an issue of Civil Rights. Thank you for your encouragement.


More than anything, I think that SF's visit has made many students more open to discussing issues and to wanting to learn and be informed... I'm praying that continues to happen.

[Pablo Rafael]

Originally Posted by MCstudent

I made an effort to step out of my comfort zone, and talk to people I've never met before, who share different views than I do, who I felt I couldn't possibly have anything in common with.

I really appreciated reading your post, (and the one in the "My name is" forum.) I think you illustrate one of the major reasons we have colleges in this country. They not only train people with job skills but are here to expand our horizons and make us look at things in new ways. Your words have warmed my heart. Thanks for sharing.

I have nothing against religion. I am strongly religious and am in church all the time. (I have to hurry up with this so I can get to church.) However, oftentimes our religious institutions foster an "Ignorance is Bliss" type mentality. It doesn't hurt for people to explore and question; that is how we grow in our faith. The Holy Spirit can't work in a person who is closed to His leading and already knows all there is to know.

On a side note. I hear a lot from people about the southeastern US being very hostile to LGBT individuals. Here in the West there are a lot of people who oppose gay rights, but there is generally a mood of toleration if not acceptance. In the rural West I see an attitude of "Mind your own business; don't tell me how to live, and I won't tell you how to live." (We do have pockets of hostility like "Focus on the Family".) I have to ask is it really that much different in the South, or is that an unfair stereotype?

Tu Amigo, Pablo

[Ambrose]

I sent this message to the mayor, police chief and aldermen of Clinton. Others might consider doing likewise. The aldermen's email addresses are:

jbrabham@park-way.com; thisaw@jam.rr.com; tony@greerrealestate.net; mbishop55@aol.com; fisher.pr@pg.com; mmorgan@jam.rr.com; barnett9500@bellsouth.net

The police chief can be reached at policedept@clintonms.org

The mayor can be reached at this website: http://www.clintonms.org/city/contact/

-Marvin Vann

Police Chief Byington, Mayor Aultman:

I recently read a news release of the harassment by members of the Equality Ride, a nonviolent group of young people, after they attempted to engage with Mississippi College administrators and students over the issue of religious bigotry against Gay and Lesbian citizens. Your city government's attempt to abridge the First Amendment rights of these students by warning them against assembly was shameful, as was your police department officer's harassment against the bus riders, telling them to "get out of town," and repeatedly pulling them over to do so. I would hope that the lessons of reaction against nonviolent demonstrations in Mississippi and beyond in the 60's might leave a lesson others are capable of learning from. Please be aware that your actions are being observed around the country.



Sincerely,

Marvin Vann
English Master Teacher, Fort Worth Independent School District
Member, First Congregational Church of Fort Worth,
Member, Allied Communities of Tarrant,
Member, Fort Worth Integrity

[Britt.]

Short of those large buses not being allowed to park in certain areas (if it's actually even in such an area, which I doubt), I can't think of what charges they could dream up.

Rick, I like to think of myself as fairly mature, but the idea of throwing water balloons at cars made me giggle.

[pnggrad79]

My students and I read a short biography of Sojourner Truth yesterday and one of the facts was that she was born a slave in upstate New York and when they declared slavery illegal in 1827, she should have been freed, however, her owner defied the order and refused to let her go, so she ran away. It struck me that it was 1827 when New York outlawed slavery and it wasn't until half the South was decimated and burned to the ground that it decided begrudgingly to let their slaves go some 40 years later in 1865. Can someone please explain to me why the Northeast seems to be coming closer to equal rights for gays and lesbians, while people in the south like Mississippi, Texas, South Carolina, etc seem so unwilling to let people be who they are? 60 years ago if you were black, you couldn't stay for very long in a place like Mississippi, and it is still that way in some places. Today if you are gay, you are run out of town. I don't understand the mentality. But if it is true that history repeats itself, this is one case where it really does.

[Diane Vera]

Originally Posted by pnggrad79

My students and I read a short biography of Sojourner Truth yesterday and one of the facts was that she was born a slave in upstate New York and when they declared slavery illegal in 1827, she should have been freed, however, her owner defied the order and refused to let her go, so she ran away. It struck me that it was 1827 when New York outlawed slavery and it wasn't until half the South was decimated and burned to the ground that it decided begrudgingly to let their slaves go some 40 years later in 1865. Can someone please explain to me why the Northeast seems to be coming closer to equal rights for gays and lesbians, while people in the south like Mississippi, Texas, South Carolina, etc seem so unwilling to let people be who they are? 60 years ago if you were black, you couldn't stay for very long in a place like Mississippi, and it is still that way in some places. Today if you are gay, you are run out of town. I don't understand the mentality. But if it is true that history repeats itself, this is one case where it really does.

One reason may be simply that the Northeast has more, bigger, and denser cities. See the article The Urban Archipelago: It's the Cities, Stupid. This article contains a rather one-dimensional caricature of both city life and rural life, but makes some valid points nonetheless. While the large and dense cities are by no means totally free of prejudice either, it is probably easier for people to get over their prejudices in a large, dense, and heterogeneous city, where they are constantly running into all sorts of different people, than in smaller and more culturally homogeneous towns.

[Vanessa White]

Hi MCstudent: I did post a welcome for you on your thread over there, but I wanted to comment on your thoughts on this thread. My mom grew up in the South, and I have spent a great deal of time in the South in my life, various parts of the South. I feel like I have learned to combat some of the stereotypical beliefs about southern persons in my own mind, yet was disheartened to hear so many negative responses about persons of the 9th ward after Katrina- it really saddened me. Your post really moves me, because of your eighteen year old wisdom, but also your willingness to move out of your comfort zone, which is what I think is necessary in order to learn and to grow. Heck, I love being in the comfort zone in my life much of the time, but the comfort zone gets boring after a while, and seems like it could be a reality of what life is really about, when it is just a way to deceive ourselves. You were willing to face those unknowns in your life, and even bigger, challenge your father and his faith in regard to this issue. I am proud to be a person who follows Christ, and also a lesbian. I know that God created me in this beautiful image, and I have nothing to be ashamed of in my life. I have to live and stand in the light of my full truth, and I am always encouraged when I meet an ally who wants to learn about my truth, as I will want to learn more about yours. THank you so much for sharing here with us. Rejoice in the resurrection of the Lord today, and peace be with you. Vanessa

[JudB]

Hello MC Student,

Stepping out of comfort into risk is one of the scariest things you can do in life. It is also a step into reality and one of the most exciting, empowering things you can do. Thanks for stepping out of comfort into risk.