[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bob Lyle
[B]It's a common misconception that racism only exists in Dixie. Massachusetts is the home to South Boston. Remember South Boston.

Bob:

When you bring up South Boston I presume you are referring to the incidents that happened during forced busing in the seventies. That was THIRTY YEARS AGO! Have you ever been to South Boston?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by David M
[B]And your point is?? A lot of crap happened in a lot of places during that time. "Racist Dixie" had it's problems. The "Enlightened Northeast" had their problems. They both still do. The north may or may not be worse, but only the people who are discriminated against know in their particular area. The national media is based in N.Y. It is possible Northeast problems are glossed over while southern problems hit front page nationally. But writers and publishers would never have a particular slant, would they?

If you think the area in which you live doesn't have bigotry and racism, you are wearing rose colored blinders and basically ignorant of the area around you. It would be awesome if it didn't exist, but unfortunately it does.

And ultimately, I believe, Rich was simply making a tongue in cheek dig at Massachusetts, which is traditionally thought of as the most liberal state in the Country.

My post was directed at Bob Lyle's allusion to incidents that happened in South Boston thirty years ago. My point is that what happened then has absolutely nothing to do with what happened in Methuen last week. He is disparaging a community based on three decade old information.

Believe me I do not wear rose colored blinders. I realize there is racism and bigotry everywhere.

BTW I am not from South Boston but I do know many good people from there.