withoutsanctuary.org

[Jleigh]

I was born in Rock Castle County, Kentucky in 1945. Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, I lived in government housing and run down tenements reserved for poor whites from Appalachia (hillbillies or white trash...which included me and my family) and poor blacks. I know what James says is the truth. Shame on you folks who are not willing to face the truth and at least apologize for what was done to black folks in this country.

My stepfather, Tobe, was born in Huntington, West Virginia in 1918. He told me once, when I was still a child about his involvement in a lynching. Tobe was an alcoholic, and he was pretty loaded when he told me this story. At the time of this hate crime, Tobe was 18 years old. The two men he was with were older, and one was a professional fighter. Tobe said that the three of them were out drinking at one of the many local bootleggers in Huntington. They left the bootlegger's to party elsewhere. The driver of the taxi they took was black. Evidently, after taking them to a number of different places, the taxi driver demanded to be paid. Tobe said the other two men beat the driver and hung him from a tree. The black taxi driver survived and was able to identify Tobe and his two friends. All three were found guilty of attempted murder and sentence to the West Virginia penitenary. Tobe said that the three of them would not have lynched the man if he had been white. He said they never expected to be arrested and charged for murdering a "[racial epithet deleted]." Tobe was a racist, but I loved him...he was the closes thing to a father that I ever had. One important thing, Tobe was ashamed of his involvement in this crime. He said to me, "Jerry, don't ever be like me." Tobe is dead, his daughter, my half-sister, married a black man and has two children. Bless them all.

Growing up in Cincinnati,one of my best friends was a black boy by the name of John Tanner. He died when he was only 16 years old. His death certificate probably says he died of heart failure. I know that he was a victem of poverty and racism.

One thing I still find confusing is the number of "so called" Christians that are hateful racists.

We all can and need to do better for all the children's sake.

Jerry Leigh, Austin, TX.

[Guest]

Jerry,

it's pretty brave of you to share your personal story. I was moved by it... the present generation can work to eradicate, to overturn, the legacy we've been given. Thanks for sharing.

[Kush Queen]

"One thing I still find confusing is the number of "so called" Christians that are hateful racists. "


That should be a lesson to you: A lesson in the hypocrisy that not only exists in America, but that exists in the world and that HAS existed in the world and that WILL CONTINUE to exist.