"A Different Worse"

Today our book club discussed the book, The Help. This is a book, written by a 41 year-old Mississippi born White lady, about the interaction between maids during that time and the families for whom they worked. She based the book on her own personal experiences, not as a maid, but as an "observer of maids." The book contained interviews she conducted with maids in Jackson, Mississippi.

The discussion was lively, but interestingly enough, it was not focused as much on the book, as it was on the dynamics of race. Southerners, two of whom were from Mississippi, had a view and those born in other places, had a view based upon what they had been told by parents and others. I had even requested via email, the perspective of a very good friend, a Southern, White Woman.

One poignant issue explored by the group (all African-American women) was "This was Mississippi a long time ago, but it seems that the same things are still happening."

My friend even suggested that even when Whites were cared for by Black maids from the time they were born, many still grew up to be racist.

Some thought that integration had a negative effect on Blacks--lower expectations and loss of a "caring community." Some thought that things have even gotten worse, especially after the presidential election of President Obama.

The phrase, "A Different Worse" struck me as very interesting. The person who posited this idea, felt that we, as Blacks, do not always take advantage of the opportunities that exist for us. Those opportunities were not there in the past.

We all have a responsibility to change this "different worse." We need to mentor, encourage and praise young (and old). We need to restore the sense of community that existed. Each of us has a responsibility--how we handle that responsibility will be up to us.