“Say, you integrated out here?” G. asked.
“Well, we only have a couple colored families and their kids went to a one-room school and one of the colored boys weighed 210, did the 100 in 10.1, kicked 50 yards barefoot, so we integrated.”
Willie - writing about West Texas
It’s hard for anyone, particularly a non-Southerner, to understand the intricacies of Southern culture. I’ve often struggled with the ease at which someone will embrace what they simultaneously curse at the realization there’s an underlying benefit to them.
It’s rarely verbalized, and only acknowledged in one’s own private contemplations. It’s not particularly ignorance, but likely more fear of their peers’ reactions that holds all but the most bold from breaking from the perceived norm.
The fact that violence and destruction of racial intolerance was ultimately broken by the desire for athletic superiority in some small southern towns is mind boggling and infuriating.
But so is the thought that color is a determining factor in our society.
