What's wrong with 'black'?

Sherri · #1 06-25-2007, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyRev

I remember all too well the culture shock when I moved to the Memphis TN area having been raised in a small town in northcentral Wisconsin. There just weren't and still aren't very many blacks in this area unless you go to bigger cities. So Memphis was quite the shock as I got my first real dose of racism and prejudice at its worst.

I remember getting wrote up at work for using a term that was considered offensive to my black co-worker. A term that I had grown up using and had no idea it had "racial" meanings attached. When I tried to explain that I wasn't raised with the term carrying that meaning, they didn't believe that I hadn't discovered differently in the few years I had been in Memphis. I was accused of being racist and wrote up. Even though my supervisor was a black woman that I had grown very close to. Higher officials did the write up in spite of her coming to my defense.

Probably one of my best memories of all is the time I ran out of gas on Interstate 240 in the Frayser area of Memphis. Those that know the area will probably cringe a bit. I was about to start walking to the gas station a couple miles down the road when a black man pulled up. He offered to take me to the gas station so I climbed in. (I know, I know...stupid thing to do and color definitely isn't the reason why!). He took me to the station and proceeded to fill my gas can with his own money while I waited in the car. A white man pulled up to the pump on the opposite side and while he pumped his gas he glared back and forth at me and then at the black man I was obviously with. I feared he was going to start a fight and silently prayed he'd leave my help alone! Ultimately he took me back to my car, poured gas in the tank and saved some for the carburator (older car - no injectors). He made sure it started and made sure I made it to the station to fill up. Then he left.
While many criticized me for this, there were others that said God sent me a black angel.

Anyway, as for the "black" word, I have yet to talk to anyone personally that finds it offensive and I obviously use the term. But if someone had a problem with it I'd simply apologize...what else can one do? Things have just gotten too crazy!

When did you live in Memphis? We were there from 1980-1984.

LadyRev · #2 06-25-2007, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherri

When did you live in Memphis? We were there from 1980-1984.

Spring of 1982 through Feb. of 2005. Lived in Memphis itself about 6 years and Millington after that. Always worked in Memphis - mostly for UT.

Sherri · #3 06-25-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyRev

Spring of 1982 through Feb. of 2005. Lived in Memphis itself about 6 years and Millington after that. Always worked in Memphis - mostly for UT.

Do I know you????? We were at Bethel with Bro. Luther back when it was on Macon Road. Have I asked you this before?

LadyRev · #4 06-25-2007, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherri

Do I know you????? We were at Bethel with Bro. Luther back when it was on Macon Road. Have I asked you this before?

LOL! No, I don't think you know me and no, I don't believe you've asked me this before.

I barely knew Bro. Luther but do remember visiting the church on Macon Rd. I always attended the Millington church, under the late pastor Hazel Simpson and the present pastor Travis Sheppard.

Glenda B · #5 06-25-2007, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyRev

LOL! No, I don't think you know me and no, I don't believe you've asked me this before.

I barely knew Bro. Luther but do remember visiting the church on Macon Rd. I always attended the Millington church, under the late pastor Hazel Simpson and the present pastor Travis Sheppard.

Hazel Mabel Simpson

"God's Amazing Handmaiden"

Sherri · #6 06-25-2007, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hot Coffee Ms.

Hazel Mabel Simpson

"God's Amazing Handmaiden"

Sister Simpson--I remember her! I don't think I ever went to the Millington church, but my husband did for rallies, etc. You probably saw him there, but wouldn't have known him. He was only 21-25 while we lived in Memphis.

tamor · #7 06-25-2007, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherri

Sister Simpson--I remember her! I don't think I ever went to the Millington church, but my husband did for rallies, etc. You probably saw him there, but wouldn't have known him. He was only 21-25 while we lived in Memphis.

Jon preached revivals for her. I had never heard of her, but I have heard him mention her.