[Cleburne]

Segregation, outside of certain workplaces, is still quite the rule in the rural- and suburban- South, at least the portions I am familiar with. Any town in Mississippi of size has a black section, and outside of that area there are few blacks. The smae pattern occurs in rural areas- certain roads are considered "black areas". However, it would be hasty to declare that it is soely the fault of whites and their efforts to remove themselves from black neighborhoods and areas- though it would be foolish to deny: it happens, and sometimes for very good reasons that have nothing to do with racism. But, blacks also tend to congregate- along with Hispanic labourers- in seperate areas, and worship in seperate churches, and attend seperate social functions. They are not forced to do so by any one, and much social stigmata has gradually withered away in the past few decades. Blacks would very much be welcomed in my church, but few have ever come: I recall only one fellow, and he was Jamacian and presumably unexposed to regional racial stigmatas- most of which are very much black imposed.

The issue is quite complex, and for one outside of the South is quite difficult to truely understand and appreciate within its social and racial views and beliefs and traditions: not that I am comfortable or agree with all of them, but one must understand to appreciate the situation and offer a fair judgement of it. There is much in my state that grieves me, but much of it is very much out of my control or intervention, and I have no desire to force people to adopt to my ideals and views, nor can I solve the problems that cause disharmony and seperation. White Mississippi has done much, and ordealed much, and changed much: it is now largely up to our black brethern to finish the dream.

[spintreebob]

But, blacks also tend to congregate- along with Hispanic labourers- in seperate areas

I can't speak about the South. In Illinois the Hispanic housing pattern is much more integrated than the Black. In the 60's and 70's I lived in Chcago's Hispanic Westown, which was never more than 33% Hispanic at its peak. In the last 10 years Hispanics have been moving to scattered suburbs. White yuppies, especially gays, are turning it into a different type of ghetto.

Catholic Hispanics prefer 3 of the 7 Catholic churches in the area, 2 of which have Spanish mass. Of those 30% go to English mass. (I encourage my ESL students to attend English mass.)

Protestant Hispanics are spread accross every denomination with many in the Assembly of God, Baptist and non-denominational Baptist like churches which are mostly white, and where many of the Blacks, Koreans, etc. also attend.

Hispanics can be Catholic and Protestant at the same time, to the horror of the White liberals who run the Catholic church, and who only want ecumenicism with upper-class Presbyterians, Methodist, etc and not with those snake handlers.