Bygone memories of a segregated Alabama...
My last visit to the old Saenger Theatre in Mobile...
I was but a kid and recall my last visit to the old segregated Saenger Theatre in downtown Mobile...it was unique. My ninth grade teacher by the name of Sister Alberta, an Irish Dominican nun, along with Sister Antonietta, an Italian Dominican nun took the class to the theatre to see the movie "Lord Jim."
Mind you, segregation was still the law of the south, and blacks by law were not allowed to sit on the main floor but were normally required to go to the back of the theatre, climb the stairs and sit in the balcony. Up until this particular visit, I had no complaints, for that's where we kids could have the most fun...stupid kids we were.
Nevertheless, this particular visit opened a new world, when being part of the Catholic organization of schools we were allowed the dignity of being seated with our white counterparts on the main floor...the movie and its moral have remained with me since.
Spring Hill College...my alma mater.
I made mention of Spring Hill College's quiet admission of blacks during the days of educational segregation with my father being one of the first blacks to attend. He never completed his education but opted to go to work for the US Post Office. He however received enough quality education to climb the postal ranks, and become a fleet supervisor before he died.
Having served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict, he started at Hampton Institute during the early fifties, but returned to Mobile where Spring Hill became his option after being notified of admission. His very close friend and associate, Bernard Gayle, became one of the first blacks from the community to graduate from the highly prestigious institution in the South.
I returned to Mobile after my Naval stint to complete my undergraduate requirements with assistance of the G.I. Bill. From there, I went on to complete my business thesis via the University of Chicago, http://infobuck.com/custom3.html which is the foundation of my business INFOBUCK.COM.
The subsets of religious silliness...such as when and where to pray publically.
When watching some of the NFL games, I get a chuckle out of seeing the athletes either making the sign of the cross and pointing skyward or even taking a knee after a touchdown...I ask, do you seriously think the God of the universe is worried about the point spread? C'mon, a little common sense, please.
Take this issue of prayer before sports and political meetings, what if those who want to pray in public beforehand should have to declare to whom this prayer is offered...Jehovah, Yahweh, Buddha, Shiva, Allah, Jesus, Protestant Jesus, or Catholic Jesus...on and on for the thousands of mankind's deities?
Religious Hypocrisy in the "Segregated South" and "Integrated North"...why?