clydepepper |
06-07-2016 09:24 PM |
Leon - This will be my last addition to this particular thread...and I do hope that you will consider locking it afterwards.
I just wanted to make a point about why I felt compelled to voice my opinions with regards to Mr. Ali.
Being born and raised in the Deep South, I have had to endure many stereotypes from other regions of the country that are assigned to me based on both my race (white) and my locale (Georgia).
Today's global economy makes for a very mobile populous, but I've stayed in the very close vicinity all my life. While I am still in the census majority, I was raised by a very good woman who instilled in me the correct set of values and common sense. She also taught me and my brother the value of seeing the bigger picture and making every attempt to be fair and just with everyone.
Now, Mom was a Dixie Democrat, but my brother have not gone that far. Instead we are both Republicans though we carry just enough of a liberal 'touch' to focus on the afore-mentioned bigger picture.
I watched as Mr. Clay transitioned into Mr. Ali, made note of most public statements he made and then saw him morph / mellow / mature into a very brave public personality who was not afraid to stand behind everything he said.
In a person's life, it is absolutely unfair to judge them before they have walked on this earth long enough to at least have a chance to reconstruct both their thinking and their actions.
God, Buddha, Ala...or any form worth worshiping, forgives and accepts the final product.
In this, I just wanted to let everyone on the forum know that I am not now nor was I ever one of the stereotypical southerners so many folks look down upon (and rightfully so).
All that being said - and thank you if you have read the entire 'novella' - I return you to your normal Bat Channel.
Thanks,
Raymond Culpepper
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