Same experience growing up in 60s-80s in southern mill town. Barry's story would not have happened there. And, I agree that Sports were the key.
Blacks weren't exactly a minority in my neighborhood ...and the rites of passage ("initiation") were mine in the pre-teen years. Like the black kid in Barry's scout experience, I shook it off and never ratted on the kids despite a nasty injury. I lied to the adults about what happened. Those guys never forgot that and it served me well through high school.
I don't think people understand what some parts of the south were like. Many of the important role models in my life were black...the coaches, the disciplinarians at school, my band teacher, health teacher, civics teach, typing teacher, etc. These were all strong black men (and women) who we admired and respected. They dished out tough love and we NEVER mouthed off at them. In middle school, the black Assistant Principle used a HUGE paddle to punish kids (black AND white). You only made that mistake once.
Yes, the KKK was in the adjacent county, and we all turned our backs on them when they marched in the annual Christmas parade in the early 60s. And, there was still some racial tension but it was mostly among the generations before us. When my parents went on trips without us, they paid a black family in the projects to keep us safe there with them. My little sister was a toddler! Would that happen today?
We were raised on MLK's vision. It was simple enough for children to understand and embrace. As kids we felt like we were part of something important.
To understand what has changed today, I think you have to understand the difference between MLK's vision and that of
James H Cone. Sorry, I'm repeating myself from an
earlier post.
But, what we see today with critical race theory, etc...is all James H Cone. It's a hard pill to swallow and will not end well.
MLK's vision is fueled by love. Cone's vision is fueled by anger.