The purpose I posted this comment on this thread is to bring awareness. I Gaylen C. Taylor take offense to the term "Red Shirt" now that I know what it stood for. I'm posting this because so many of US (All Races) refuse to have civil - mature conversation on topics such as these.
Mr. Salyer, you pointed out that Africans tribes sold the rights of other captured rival African tribes to the Europeans (whites). I understand that and I have never debated it. Every group of people at some point in history were captured and enslaved. This started back in the biblical days as you stated. However, I was speaking on the Reconstruction era (time after the civil war). Which the "redshirts" were purpose was to disenfranchise (take the vote) the black community and to dismantle the civil rights movement. Knowing this is disheartening, because the whites from the north (given the name of Carpetbaggers or scalawags (sp)) were discriminated against too. I understand that African American community would still be fighting slavery conditions if it were not for the abolishioners and many others.
I don't understand how a foul hurtful word could be used to describe OUR (everyone’s) student athletes. No matter the color (purple, white, red, black, orange, blue or pink). I feel like its making fun (joking) of the struggle people faced in the reconstruction era. Just as the fictional character JIM CROW did. That's why I'm offended.
Now I suggest that everyone goggle the WILLIE LYNCH LETTER - The Making of a Slave. This letter explains why the black community is still suffering. The Black family was broken down. The Black MANs four limbs were tied to a horse as his wife and child watched. The horse was beaten until the man was ripped apart. The strategy behind this was to make the Black Woman turn her male child (considered a wild beast - and a threat) over to the master. The Black Woman’s fear made her take the natural instincts of a man to protect away. The Black Woman was the new leader of the Black families, not the man. The Black woman became the spokes person to the master, never the man.
The native tongue, traditions and customs were stripped. The ability to read was forbidden. The differences of blacks were magnified (skin color, position on the plantation, texture of hair, men from women, men from boys, women from girls, age (young vs. old), material possessions, relationships,ect....
Willie Lynch Stated in 1712 that if the slave owners would follow his instructions, blacks (Negroes) would be enslaved for at least 300 years. (What year is it now? Has it been 300 years yet?)
We still see the effects of this today. Single women leading the family, uneducated & unequal education rights for everyone. The school districts receive funding based on the property taxes of the area. The ghettos (be advised more than black and Hispanics live in ghettos) property taxes are insufficient so, the education of those students attending those schools suffer too. It's not a black or Hispanic problem. It's a have and have not problem.
It's not my intention to be offensive or demeaning, I only gave my perspective.
