Postcards from the Old South

Postcards from the Old South

Captions read as follows:

1. LISTENING TO THE MASTER'S WORD

2. "HUNTING" IN DIXIELAND

3. A WATERMELON FEAST IN DIXIELAND

4. LOLLYPOPS AND "CHOCOLATE DROPS" IN DIXIELAND

5."LOVER'S LEAP"

6. CHIMNEY ROCK

I found these postcards in some paperwork that belonged to my grandparents. While I don't remember these postcards in particular I do know that my granny and pepaw would have found them to be hilarious. At the same time they were laughing at them they would have been telling me, "those kinds of things aren't said in front of negroes." They also taught me, "you should be kind to them, and be friends with them, but you don't mix with them."

It goes to show that racism is taught. I can remember, one time, when I was coloring with my niece when she was about 5 years old. We were happily coloring without a care in the world - or so I thought. Out of the blue she looked up at me and said, "I hate black people."

Astounded, I asked her, "why?'

Her reply was, "because they want to hurt me." I assured her that was not true but I couldn't go into it too far with her. I knew that either her parents or grandparents (on her mother's side) had told her that and I would start a family war if I made a big deal out of it.

Thankfully I don't believe she feels that way now that she is an adult. She is an intelligent girl who is able to form her own opinions.