Regarding comments that few posts to this group concern things we can
actually do, I would like to ask any interested subscribers if they
can help me out with a few situations that I run into almost every
day.  I am not as intellectually gifted nor as eloquent as the other
posters, but have appreciated and respected their insights.

 For background, the following appeared in yesterday's FAN'S SPEAK UP
section of the local newspaper (I hope I am not violating too many
copyright restrictions)

     This is in regard to the comment made about Winston Cup race
   tracks displaying the C-confederate flag.  The last time I checked,
   the Confederate flag was a part of southern heritage to honor the
   hundreds of thousands of southerners who fought for their country.
   I do not think that people up north who don't understand things
   like sacrifice and respect for your ancestry should be making
   comments like that.

 Now, my great-grandfather owned slaves and I am not proud of that.  He was (I
am told) highly regarded as a good man in his society (that
part of it that 'counted').  I can SAY 'I wouldn't have done that,'
but how do I know how I would have felt in that society? (rhetorical
question)

 My first question, then, is: what do I say to people who think like that?  I do
not travel in the acedemic or professional ranks and meet
people like this almost every day.  They are not "bad people'.  Most
of them would deny that they have racist feelings.  I do not want to
say things that imply that I am 'better' than they are, and am not
smart enough to drag up quotes from Andrew Hacker or Noam Chomsky.  I
don't want to convert anyone, just give them something to think about.
 For example, the response to someone who makes a racist comment
or joke, "Did you say that because you think I'm white?" which I got
from Race Traitor at  http://www.postfun.com/racetraitor/
I know this is not on the level of world revolution or anything, but
it is something that would help a lurker like me cope in the world.

 My second question concerns a mostly 'white' suburban - rural high
school I have a small involvement with.  I would like suggestion of
'progressive' books to recomend or donate to the library that kids
would read.  I mean kids who read Mary Higgens Clark and think the
INVISIBLE MAN on the reading list is the one by H.G.Wells.  People
whose ideas of African-American is Michael's Jordan and Jackson and
who might never have really talked to a person of different heritage.
People like I was (well not THAT bad, maybe, today)  I sneaked LIES
MY TEACHER TOLD ME by James Loewen last year and will try Howard Zinn
next, but I want something that when they see it on the new book shelf they will
actually look at.

 If anyone out there understands what I'm asking and has any ideas or
suggestions I would appreciate it.  But don't stop the 'abstract'
threads -- we need to stretch our minds.

Just because you can win an argument with me only proves that
you are smarter than I am, not that you are right.

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