Mrs. Venation and Molly Ivins had something in common.

[bertha katzenengel]

From the Washington Post's article about Molly:

"Both her parents were Republicans,* but she rebelled early. Her liberal bent sprang from the same root that nurtures most Southern liberals: race. "Once you figure out they are lying to you about race, you start to question everything," she wrote."

Once you figure out they are lying to you about race, you start to question everything.

Mrs. V.'s questioning actually began well before this incident: She and some friends were crying at church the morning of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in 1963. Mrs. V. was eleven years old. A deacon walked by and saw them crying and said, "Don't know what y'all are so upset over, it was only four little nigger girls." You can imagine the impact this would have on a child who has already begun to question everything.

Mrs. V. is more liberal than I am; no doubt this has something to do with it. I had no such formative experience.

RIP, Molly.

* Mrs. V.'s are not, but she grew up Southern Baptist, in Eastern Tennessee.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear bertha.........

That is a most excellent story, and I thank you for telling it!

I cannot believe that a deacon would talk like that, but then, what do I know?

:hug:

[auntAgonist]

2. thank you SO much

for sharing that story!
I am so saddened to hear of Molly's passing. I knew in my heart it wouldn't be long. My husband had just commented on saturday afternoon that there had been no new columns lately from Molly :(
I guess now we know why :cry:

RIP Molly Ivins, the world and most especially the USA is a lot richer for having known you, and poorer in your passing.


aA
kesha



I answered your mail btw.

[hickman]

3. My father was my hero.

My Mother was a neglectful drunk. I was in college before I found out how racist my dad was. My meek drunken mother drew a line in the sand early. She told me once that as a poor kid in Detroit going to Northwestern High School some of her best friends were "Negro's" "They're just like us Janet, they just look different". My Dad was a conservative Repuke. His 2 eldest(me and my big brother) are die hard dems. The other 4 drank the kool-aid.