Somewhat personal

[Chop Smith]

It takes a low-life sob to call one a racist. Especially, when they do not know what is in one’s heart. Recently, that happened here in this community. It pissed me off and I reacted. Thus this post is made as an explanation.

I am member #50 on this board. This means that I was here from day one and from the very first day I have not hidden my location. It is Mississippi and I am proud of it. I love my heritage and my culture but for most of my adult life I have been negatively stereotyped.

I recall 1967. Two years out of college I had gain recognition in a specialized field of taxation. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants requested that I do a seminar. The seminar was held at the University of Virginia and it's targeted audience were citizens of northern states. For some reason, as I am fully aware of, the AICPA failed to publish that I was from Mississippi. The first day I was introduced to the participants and their mouths flew open because the closest one to my age was twenty years older than me. When I spoke, they about fell out of their chairs. Those of you that have met me know that when I open my mouth there is very little doubt where I am from. Truthfully, the age and the fact I was from Mississippi made me think we were going to have a mass walk out. However, all stayed for the entire two weeks.

Most of you know my beloved state from the movies - Mississippi Burning or Ghosts of Mississippi. I personally know the bad about Mississippi. I was there in 1962 for the riots at the University of Mississippi. In 1963, I was drinking beer in the Redwood Inn on Terry Road in Jackson, Mississippi less than one mile from where Medgar Evers was murdered. In 1964, I recall hundreds of college-age volunteers coming to "the most totalitarian state in the country" and the death of Schwerner, Goodman, and Chaney. In 1970, I was in a client's office less than 100 yards from Jackson State University when the riots broke out. By the way that was the year that I was Bobby DeLaughter's scoutmaster in his Boy Scout Troop. You that saw Ghosts of Mississippi might remember that Alec Baldwin played Bobby DeLaughter in the movie.

So much for the negatives - Here are the positives - Mississippi Believe It.

1. Yes, we can read. A few of us can even write.
2. Yes, we wear shoes. A few of us even wear cleats.
3. Monster Trucks? No. Hog Callin'? No. Tractor Pulls? No. World-Class Entertainers? Yes!
4. Mississippi. The First to Have a Change of Heart ... and Lungs ... and Kidneys ...
5. No Black. No White. Just The Blues. (this one could be my favorite)
6. The Unmatched Courage of a Soldier. The Ultimate Sacrifice of a Town. The Unparalleled Vision of a Workforce. Mississippi. A Legendary Force for Freedom. (D'lo is the closest post office to Chop's on The Lake)
7. Freedom Unsinkable.
8. Moscow, Russia. Varna, Bulgaria. Helsinki, Finland. Jackson, Mississippi, USA Mississippi? You Better Believe It!
9. Houston? No. Kennedy Space Center? No. Mississippi? You Better Believe It!
10. Where Is The World’s Largest Auto Plant That Was Built From Scratch? Japan? No. Germany? No. Detroit? No. Mississippi? You Better Believe It!
11. In Mississippi, We Always Have Our Hand Out. But It’s Usually To Give, Not Receive.

Don't call me a racist. Instead, ask me about my Mississippi. I will admit the bad of a few and praise the accomplishments of the en masses.

[Surfn]

Chop as you know I've lived there too. You know where I lived. I can truthfully say they have many pluses that out weigh the negatives. The biggest plus is how Mississippi gave you the chance to grow a soul.

[DangerDave]

Chop...

It is a fact that these days in this increasingly 'politically correct, yet 'morally bankrupt' world that the bandying around of terms like racist.. says far more about the accuser than it does the accusee.

DD

[Toby]

Originally Posted by DangerDave

It is a fact that these days in this increasingly 'politically correct, yet 'morally bankrupt' world that the bandying around of terms like racist.. says far more about the accuser than it does the accusee.

Amen.

[Linkster]

Chop - being a fellow Mississippi resident in a town where until 3 years ago we (by law) were not allowed to celebrate Independence Day due to it being the day in 1863 that this town fell to US Grant during the civil war (it was a day of mourning here still), I agree that there are fantastic things and people in this state. That said, I can tell you that there is just like any other town in the world, those that are very vocal, some even publicly, about their contempt for certain races. I have customers that come in my store in town, that I have told to not come back because of their vocal opinions.
I also do not accept the current "mainstream" thought that racism is limited to one particular group or ethinticity - Ive seen it go both ways.

Interestingly, I was not born here, but in a small college town in Florida where we lived for the first 8 yrs of my life - and with my mother being one of the most vocal newspaper reporters of the time in the civil rights battles, I've had the pleasure of many cross burnings in my front yard, as well as watching my father have to carry a gun every where we travelled.
We then moved to Wash DC and I have vivid memories of watching the city burning in the fires set during the riots in 68 - and walking down the streets where armed guardsmen were stationed every 10 feet to protect certain areas as well as machine gun nests set up on the Capitol entrance steps and snipers on every federal building roof downtown.

But so much for the history part - there is a very blatent "stereo-typing" visible where I currently live, and while a bunch of it is actually perpetrated by the people involved on purpose, the most interesting part for me, is that it doesnt come anywhere close to the hate and real racism that I have seen in every part of this country. The worst I have ever experienced personally, was actually in Hawaii where being white was being the minority and the heel of society.

[Surfn]

Originally Posted by DangerDave

Chop...

It is a fact that these days in this increasingly 'politically correct, yet 'morally bankrupt' world that the bandying around of terms like racist.. says far more about the accuser than it does the accusee.

DD

That too!

[Simon]

Hiya Chop

I remember when I was new to this board, and needing help with a few things, that you reached out to me without knowing (or caring) what race, color, or creed I might be. And I remember that the first person you offered to put me in touch with, someone who could help with what I needed, was a programmer in Bulgaria. A good guy, with whom I've done quite a few projects since then.

So I gotta say you're not worth a shit as an example of how a racist should act. Hell, I'm surprised you ain't been lynched a time or two just for the folks you consort with.

On the other hand, if someone wanted to know what more people should be like, and how they should treat others, I'd point to you as an example anytime.


Simon

[FanTC]

We've always been on the recieving end of the criticism Chop. It's that criticism and nastiness that attempts to keep us down.
Nobody sees the true integrity of our people or our state unless they experience it firsthand. The media has always focused on the bad in Mississippi and rarely the good.They are fast to report events from the past, but there's not alot of coverage today of our fellow Mississippians, black, white, asian, mexican, etc. as they work side by side, as one, to rebuild the state WE call home.
Mississippians are a strong, proud, resiliant people. We know who we are and one day the rest of the world will drop their antiquated opinions of us.
Mother Naure took much of our heritage and history on the coast with Katrina's wrath, yet it is those strong people, not races, that will make our coast and our state great once again.

[Dr Bizzaro]

I always judge a man, by the man himself.

I must say, on a personal level your one of the more interesting people I've met in the business.

Remember 2 years ago in Vegas, hanging out with G-Money and I in my hotel suite partying, talking and laughing?
Was that Advil you had?

[sue-fl]

Wow Chop very interesting post. Funny I have never looked down on anyone just because they are from Mississippi. I was raised by a Mom who had no tolerence for racism against anyone. So was taught from a very young age that judging people by there race, how they dress, where they live etc. in wrong. Guess I was a lucky child.

From watching about Katrina I could easily see that your area is filled with people who want to help others often before themselves. We need a lot more places like that. I don't know you that well but your posts have proven you are a fine man with a great compasion for your fellow man.

I live with racism everyday also though. We adopted our son when he was 7 days old who happens to be black. The looks the stares the comments are there all the time. Some of the things people say or ask me I just look at them and say WTF are you talking about.

It's a crazy world out there, and racism and judging people before you get to know them will always be around. I think Moms like mine, and the way I'm raising my own kids is the answer or at least I used to think it was. People out there walking around with blinders on are missing out on a lot I feel sorry for them.

[Greenguy]

All I know is that I can't fucking stand Canadians

[Useless]

You're one hell of a man, Chop. That's all I've got to say about that.

[f69j69b]

Chop why do you care what others think or say about you? You know what kind of person you are and what's in your heart.
Some of my best childhood memories are from Mississippi. My family had a summer camp on a bayou in Waveland Mississippi in the 60's. I remember my grandpa and dad and I going out to a place in the gulf called grassy island where we would catch tons of speckled sea trout and red fish. Probably the best fishing I have ever experienced.

Fred

[docholly]

Chop Rocks!!

oh and this ones for you: |shocking| ROTFLMAO!!

[Emerald]

Originally Posted by Greenguy

All I know is that I can't fucking stand Canadians

and here I thought you wuved me

[BOSS]

Originally Posted by Greenguy

All I know is that I can't fucking stand Canadians

What about russians living in Canada?

[MrYum]

I can certainly understand why someone throwing that accusation around so freely would offend you Chop. You're a man of honor and integrity...honorable men don't take kindly to baseless accusations...especially that particular accusation.

Consider the source...consider all the crap that particular person has stirred up in these forums. Consider that he's taken it upon himself to come here and advocate for his poor english speaking, crap hosted brethren. When he gets shot down right and left, does it really surprise that he would then start throwing around crude baseless accusations in a weak attempt to garner some support???

I don't think any of us here have a problem with certain people specifically because of their country of origin. What we DO have a BIG problem with is the scammers/cheats/piss poor english that comes out of certain areas. Even moreso when they have the cahonas to come to these forums and tell us we should change our rules to fit their needs. If a submitter from those regions were to submit clean, quality sites...with verifiable whois...solid hosting and reasonable english skills, they'd have zero problems getting listed.

Eh...I've ranted a bit there...ooops

Chop...you're a man I'd be honored to stand beside any day

[MadMax]

Chop, you were unfairly insulted by idiots who might as well have been throwing ugly wallpaper from their rubber rooms. Nobody who knows you at all could have possibly taken that bullshit seriously, bud

[Chop Smith]

I have not replied to this thread because old Chop was enjoying the ego builders.

I need to make something clear. Yahook did not personally call me a racist. He played the race card to the entire board.

Ya'll are my friends and it pissed me so I jumped. I am not the deputy sheriff in this community. I am just an old redneck who does not mind opening a 55 gallon drum of whoop ass.

Yeah, Dr B. it got me upset and I had to take an Advil. I had two fun meetings with you. You are one of the ones that held the door open for me. I will always be appreciative.

[swedguy]

I once had some great Turtle souple in Mississippi....

so ya'll good in my book

[emmanuelle]

People tend to fear what they do not understand, and hate the things that they fear.

The South is not the only area with an unpleasant history, I think most places have skeletons. Sadly though the South has had a hard time shaking those negative stereotypes.

I hope that Chop's post can be seen as the beginning of an education about all of us; and that while stereotypes are fun in jokes, they rarely offer an accurate portrayal of those affected.

[digifan]

You are a good guy with a big heart so please pay them no mind, promise?

[Bree]

I lived in MS for 6 yrs... it's where I adopted my daughter (Biloxi, MS) when she was just 7 days old... ;-) She's 15 now :-)

[Tommy]

Well...
I have a few questions

do you own a pickup truck ?????

if you drive your pickup truck to a mall
on any part of that drive will you see cows or chickens

is there any chance on that drive that you will see some one with some form of animal tied to the hood of their vehicle

ya know I just thought of something
wouldnt it be easyer to put the dead animal in the back of the pickup truck instead of tieing it to the hood

[Trev]

Tommy, I believe the back of the pickup is for the dogs.