A Knight in Dragonland

82 responses so far ↓

• 1    Jason Juchems // Jul 14, 2007 at 1:43 am

  I am sure some residents are going to call this an isolated incident, this is not indicative to Pekin. Yes, racism is am issue in every community, but how many of these incidents go unreported; while citizens and leaders believe it is not an issue in our community? As I have stated publicly, on this Blog and at the library forum, race is an issue in our community.

  How do we help end racism?
  Talking about the issues, multicultural activities, and education; so many people play into stereotypes.

• 2    Just A Girl // Jul 14, 2007 at 12:01 pm

  This story reminds me of two jr. high boys last year that taunted a child in the special education department, fighting with him, throwing eggs at him.

  Disgusting.

  Here’s a true story. This past year in Pekin first grade class they were celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This class had two children, a little boy and a little girl, who would be classified as a minority as students. As the teacher finished reading a book about Mr. King she wrapped up her lesson, she emphasised the goodness that Mr. King had done for our country stating “Mr. King helped make it possible for kids of all colors to come to school together. We should be very thankful for his work because now we can have friends in our class like *student A* and *student B* and wouldn’t it be silly if they couldn’t come to school becasue of….” and as the teacher kept talking the little boy looked up at his other teacher in amazement and said “Did YOU know my skin was a different color?”

  Another true story. This past winter at a local “schools out camp” a group of children between the ages of 9 and 12 were playing. Suddenly there was a fight about whos turn it was in the game. The disagreement boiled down to two students, both little girls. In the heated discussion one of the little girls said to the other “You shouldn’t even be at this camp any ways you *insert n word here*!”.

  I’m a firm believer that this type of behavior is learned. The first incident shows how skin color doesn’t seem to play a part in the thought process of younger children. After talking about Mr. King the children all smiled and nodded their head and ran off to recess and all played together. The second incident caused a bigger issue which the staff at camp used as a learning opportunity for all the campers. The parents were talked to about the situation which resulted in the mother crying, apologizing, saying how those words are not spoken in the home (nor that type of behavior or point of view), and guessing it had something to do with a grandparent visiting for the holidays (who, as it turns out is not from Pekin).

  I don’t see this as an issue of Pekin’s innate racism. What I see is a lack of education on many issues.

  If you take then stance of wanting to change the moral fabric when it come to people of color then I believe you are being a bit prejudice. In picking one form of intolerance you’re leaving out people of different shapes, sized, and abilities.

  I don’t find the problem as Pekin being racist. I find it as being a small group in a community (who tend to be seen at the majority) lacking manners, acceptance, and tolerance.

• 3    knightindragonland // Jul 14, 2007 at 2:58 pm

  These people may very well be the minority, Just A Girl. However, this hateful minority is perpetuating a stigma that is damaging to the community. Shouldn’t we do something about that? Shouldn’t we at least talk about it? The continued dismissal of these incidents as the work of a troublesome minority only serves to perpetuate the problem.

  If you take then stance of wanting to change the moral fabric when it come to people of color then I believe you are being a bit prejudice. In picking one form of intolerance you’re leaving out people of different shapes, sized, and abilities.

  Why would singling out racism in this particular post mean that I’m somehow accepting of any other form of intolerance? Pekin doesn’t have a reputation for being intolerant of tall people, or poor people, or Baptists. It has a reputation for being racist … so that’s what I’m trying to address.

  Why does it seem to bother so many people that I want to do something about Pekin’s racism (both the reality and the reputation)? I’ve apparently broken some major taboo just by broaching the subject.

• 4    Tom // Jul 14, 2007 at 3:44 pm

  Knight, I have no problem with you addressing this issue. I don’t have the answer. I do, however, think that there are towns close to us who are just as bad as we are in that respect, they just fail to get the press because of our past.
  It’s going to take some form of education in the schools to make a difference, yet how do you squeeze that into the budget.
  As for the kids who were arrested, I’ll bet the parents are proud. If they are then they are the real problem. People, including kids, need to be held accountable for the actions they take. This is just another “Black Eye’ for Pekin.

• 5    Jo // Jul 14, 2007 at 4:25 pm

  Allow me to offer another possible and more likey cause for the perception that many, not just in Pekin, have of Blacks. Blacks or any other group have a major responsibility to project themselves in a positive light, sort of reaping what you sow behaviour. Just about every place Blacks (as a whole) put themselves on TV and other entertainment or public sources they act and speak in ways that cause those with civil manners to reject that as acceptable. It isn’t racist, it is having higher standards for at least public behaviour. The Black community holds the keys to succes and blaming Whites or other groups for problems they themselves have created is not the solution, it is only a crutch they use to keep from self responsibility.
  I don’t condone what the two Pekin brats did, but it is highly likely they and others were taught by Blacks themselves by Black behaviour (as a whole). So in that sense it is an educational thing and Blacks need to do a better job of self projection.

• 6    knightindragonland // Jul 14, 2007 at 5:12 pm

  Tom … I totally agree that surrounding communities, including Peoria, probably have just as much of a problem with racism. Since I’m living in Pekin and raising my children here, I’m going to keep my focus here.

  Jo … that makes perfect sense if you think it’s acceptable to judge African-Americans based on the appearance and articulation of black rappers on MTV or black athletes on ESPN. I guess we should judge all white people based on the images and actions of Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan and Britney Spears, too.

  Bull-oney.

  The other problem with your theory is that it’s mostly white folks who decide which images of the black community get portrayed in the media.

  In St. Louis, during medical school and residency training, my patient population was 90% Medicaid and 85-90% African-American. In Pekin, my patient population is 85-90% Medicaid and 95% caucasian. I’ve seen plenty of “social difficulties” in both groups, mainly due to poverty and lack of education. Overall, other than a mirror image in the color spectrum, I see no distinguishable differences in behavior patterns, intelligence or work ethic.

• 7    Just A Girl // Jul 14, 2007 at 5:45 pm

  “However, this hateful minority is perpetuating a stigma that is damaging to the community. Shouldn’t we do something about that? Shouldn’t we at least talk about it?”

  That’s fine and you go right ahead and talk about it. I’m not saying that I disagree with you. What I say is you are preaching to the choir.

  In every community you are going to have the backwoods, redneck, white trash racists. What I’m tired of are individuals pointing at that hateful minority and saying it defines my community. Take two seconds to look around at other individuals and other qualities in this community and you’ll see it’s not so bad after all. However, obviously that’s something you’ve already done because you’re here.

  You don’t have to tell me that the town I love and call my home has a history of racism, believe me you are not the only person to point that out. But being from this community I know for as much as history has labled this community racist…current specific racism is the least of it’s problems.

  Being a doctor I would think you would know better to take a symptom at face value. But here it seems as if you come to treat this this specific symptom and you’re not looking at the disease as a whole. (which leads me back to manners, acceptance, and tolerance)

  You point out this specific story…but why was there not a big deal made for those Edison kids who threw eggs at the kid with disabilities? (because in searching through your blogs I can’t find it)

• 8    Jo // Jul 14, 2007 at 6:25 pm

  Kinght, You missed my point. One can go most normal typical places and see caucasians acting like civilized humans with social manners, yes there are exceptions but few by percentages. But go any where U.S.A. where Blacks are in any social inviroment and you find bad talk, bad actions, bad manners and worse, and big by percentages. This sir is of their making and choice and therefore educating the rest of the world to what they are really like. Again, not the fault of Whites. Plant onions, don’t expct flowers. Until the serious leaders of Black communities, if there are any, must straighten up their house before pointing at someone elses. Acting adult will usually result in being treated like one. Percentage wise Blacks don’t, not a theory. As you pointed out, if MTV and ESPN are full of Blacks acting badly, who better than Black leaders to point to the shame and name names, but the silence is deafening. More proof.

• 9    knightindragonland // Jul 14, 2007 at 6:35 pm

  Just A Girl,

  What I’m tired of are individuals pointing at that hateful minority and saying it defines my community.

  You’re saying is that it’s not fair that a racist minority defines our community, a sentiment I’ve heard from many. Fine … I agree. It’s not fair. I believe I’ve stated that about a dozen times so far – including on the Connected segment that aired on WHOI.

  However, we have to deal with the reality that, fair or not, Pekin has a racist image. Therefore Pekin has to make an extra effort to overcome that image. If we just complain that it’s not fair and do nothing, we get precisely nowhere. We cede the image of our city to the racists.

  As far as the kids throwing eggs at a developmentally disabled child – yes, that’s absolutely appalling behavior. As I said before, just because I’ve focused on racism here doesn’t mean that I find other forms of intolerance and bullying acceptable.

  As far as not posting about that incident – if you’ll notice, I didn’t start my blog until August of 2006. I didn’t move to Pekin until July of 2006. Searching the archives of the Daily Times, the event of which you’re speaking occurred in September of 2005, ten months before I moved to Pekin.

  I apologize for my lack of omnipotence and inability to travel time.

• 10    knightindragonland // Jul 14, 2007 at 6:57 pm

  Jo,
  All I can tell you is that you’re looking in the wrong places for examples of black behavior and overlooking a plethora of white misbehavior.

  There are plenty of prominent black Americans that have challenged their fellows to break away from the gangster image. Bill Cosby grinds that axe all the time. Just about every black minister does the same.

  Jo, you’re seeing what you want to see, and overlooking what you don’t. I’ve been in housing projects that were 99% black. I’ve been in trailer parks that were 99% white. In both places I saw the ravages of poverty, poor access to healthcare and poor quality education. The end result was the same – drug and alcohol abuse, violence, broken homes and broken families. It doesn’t matter what color you are.

• 11    Tom // Jul 14, 2007 at 8:43 pm

  Knight,
  i’m not asking you to worry about other towns. that was not my point. My point was that they do exist, but fail to get the press about it. I have to agree that a select few have managed to keep this city in the news as far as racism is concerned. they are the minority. that is a shame. The only way to put a stop to it is to hold then accountable. Accountability goes a long way.

• 12    Anon E. Mouse // Jul 14, 2007 at 9:16 pm

  Jo,
  Here is the irony of ironies. When it comes to racism in Pekin, everyone wants to say that it is a few bad apples spoiling the bunch. They say that we should not judge the whole of Pekin by the actions of a few.
  Yet that is exactly what the racists are doing, judging an entire race by the actions of a few.

  Jo continues to blame the victim…how disgusting.

• 13    Brian A. Graham // Jul 14, 2007 at 11:12 pm

  Ollie Nanyes has commneted here and posted his experiences with the Nazi in Peoria Heights at his own blog and a statewide group blog. We had Phil Luciano recently write about the travails of an Arab-American gas station owner across the river.

  Having a Turkish mother, I like Jason, have a heightened sensitivity to racial issues. Someday I’ll have to tell you my 9-11 story.

  There are a number of points I’d like to address. The Midwest and the rest of our nation has a long history of racial segregation. In the Midwest for example, African-Americans tend to be concentrated in urban areas.

  Secondly, we have a many centuries tradition of racism and race riots. The draft riots in the Civil War and the riot in Springfield Illinois which led to the formation of the N.A.A.C.P.

  Knight you are dead on to note the influence of class on so called deviant behavior. Check out the book by Willliam Julius Wilson, The Declining Significance of Race. The murders in Peoria are a result of blue collar jobs leaving an area. Also for poor whites, sometimes the only thing they have of “value” is their skin color. As Jason, Jim Jones, and myself have pointed out, nearly 50% of the kids in Dist 108 are low income.

  If I may indulge in a tangent, look at the uproar over the Imus remarks. During the uproar and the immediate fallout, Rush Limbaugh’s program had a “satirical” song entitled “Barack, the Magic Negro” set to the tune of “Puff the Magic Dragon” Check out http://www.frameshopisopen.com July 13, 2007 post on the Tom Tancredo being the only Republican to show up at a debate sponsored by the NAACP.

  Lastly, Lisa Heusner Young did form a citizen’s group back in the late 1980’s that achieved a measure of success in educating the public and helping to change the culture and the perception of Pekin. It’s going to take education, and we have to develop the economy to take away the economic underpinnings that help people to justify scapegoating.

• 14    Jo // Jul 15, 2007 at 7:38 am

  Knight, If Pekin as a majority does not and has not done anything to show racism then why must Pekin as a community do something EXTRA to sooth the ultra sensative feelings of a group that is always finding race fault with everything that doesn’t go their way? This type of apologizing could go on forever because the ultra sensative group has proven they can never get enough, which allows them to get a pass on THEM doing the right things.

  Mouse, My judging the actions of this group is based on long time CLEAR actions of their majority. For you to deny this shows how blind your type is to REALITY, therefore a big part of the problem.

  Knight, There is just NO evidence at least for the past 50 years that Pekin is anymore racist than any other city and judging by the incidents, less so. So to assume a small amount of situations equals a big problem is pure over reactions. Peoria and St.Louis, where you lived previously, percentage wise is and has been far more racist against Whites by their Black communities, so what did you do to stop that? If you did anything it didn’t work, so why pick on a small problem by Whites? And I have never said and don’t believe that poverty is a cause for racism, it is caused by poor upbringing. Being poor is no excuse for having bad manners regardless of color.

• 15    knightindragonland // Jul 15, 2007 at 5:24 pm

  “Jo”,

  First – I agree with Anon. You’re blaming the victim, and that’s shameful.

  Second – I don’t mind anonymous commentary, but I’m really tired of your endless string of different aliases. PICK ONE. “Jo”’s comments come from the same IP address as Tazewell Ticker, Eric, David, Linda, Roy, Bruce and Pat. You’re one or two people – not an army. Quit pretending to be one.

  Third – You’re entirely missing my point. I’ve stated MANY MANY MANY times that I don’t think Pekin is any more or less racist than any other community in Central IL (although I agree with Brian – Central IL and the Midwest in general have a deep-seated problem with racism and segregation).

  However, you cannot deny that Pekin has a racist reputation. That reputation is damaging to our community, no matter what the reality may be. Professional people moving to the area are steered away from Pekin by all the major realtors because of this reputation. Future coworkers from other communities in Central IL steer newcomers away from Pekin because of this reputation. People from other communities in Central IL don’t come to Pekin to shop, do business, attend sporting events or participate in festivals because of this reputation.

  Most people in 2007 America don’t want their children to grow up to be redneck racists, and they fear that’s what will happen if they settle in Pekin. We have to dispel that image, and to dispel the image we have to aggressively deal with the reality that racism remains here.

  I’m not saying that we should pander to any “ultrasensitive” group. The primary reason we should aggressively address the issue of racism in Pekin is that it’s the right thing to do. As evidenced by the story of these two boys and the continued popularity of Chinks memorabilia, there’s obviously still a real problem here, even if it isn’t any worse than other local communities. A side benefit of aggressively dealing with lingering reality of racism in Pekin will be to make our community more attractive as a place to settle and raise a family.

  Four – You’re saying it’s my sole responsibility to completely solve the problems of racism in the communities I used to live in before I can talk about racism in Pekin??? That’s utterly ridiculous. I live in Pekin here and now, and I don’t want to raise my children around racism. It’s obvious that what you really want is for me to shut up. Well, guess what? I’m not going to.

• 16    Jo // Jul 15, 2007 at 7:05 pm

  Sir Knight, Sometimes the person starting a fight or problem winds up the looser, some without all the facts may call them the victim, but in reality they are not, just playing the role for sympathy from those with little understanding.
  As far as others that may use this station for emails and internet business I can’t speak for.
  And as for the imagined dollars lost for some over blown reputation is only theory at best, absolutely no thread of evidence of this, just something used to plead a weak factual case.
  I was just wondering if you suddenly developed this save Pekin religion or have you tried to save others from themselves where real problems exist? I don’t expect you or want you to stop anything. Most times people with such out of touch views are helpful for educating normal people of the dangerous minds out there.

• 17    knightindragonland // Jul 15, 2007 at 10:17 pm

  So the woman accosted by those two boys was “just playing the role for sympathy”??? That’s truly disgusting.

  Yes, of course – all those people using your “station for emails and internet business” just happen to have the same writing style and the same racist opinions. Yeah, sure … I buy that.

  No, I don’t have any specific data regarding economic damages Pekin has suffered because of its image as a racist community, but I don’t think it’s too much of a logical stretch to assume that is true. What community wants a negative image? Has the negative image of the City of Peoria and District 150 been helpful for Peoria and Peoria public schools? The flight of families and students to Dunlap, Metamora and Morton would seem to indicate that their negative image is quite a large problem. And why haven’t those families come to Pekin???

  I have a “dangerous mind” and “out of touch views” because I think racism is a problem and I want to do something about it? Well, let me just say that I’m quite happy to be out of touch with your line of thinking, “Jo.”

• 18    Anon E. Mouse // Jul 16, 2007 at 10:52 am

  “Jo” sez: “If Pekin as a majority does not and has not done anything to show racism then why must Pekin as a community do something EXTRA to sooth the ultra sensitive feelings of a group that is always finding race fault with everything that doesn’t go their way?”

  I sez: Yet you do the exact same thing. Substitute “Black” for “Pekin” in your sentence.

  I’ll also quote “Jo” when she says
  “My judging the actions of this group is based on long time CLEAR actions of their majority. For you to deny this shows how blind your type is to REALITY, therefore a big part of the problem.”

  Others could use the exact phrase if were speaking of the current racist perception in Pekin.

  …and while we’re at it. What exactly is my ‘type’?

• 19    KiD Draws a Crowd | Peoria Pundits // Jul 16, 2007 at 11:12 am

  [...] racial issues in his adopted hometown, it always draws a crowd. This time, he is talking about a racist assault of a woman and her young child. Of course, some comments by residents try to blame the victim. Advertisement This ad space is [...]

• 20    Eyebrows McGee // Jul 16, 2007 at 11:42 am

  Tom (and Jo): “think that there are towns close to us who are just as bad as we are in that respect, they just fail to get the press because of our past.”

  If you go to therapy, one of the first things you’ll learn is “but SHE does that to ME” is not adequate excuse for ME doing it to HER. They’re two entirely separate issues.

  It may well be unfair that other towns don’t get the press Pekin gets. It may well be that other towns have more racial problems. But those are entirely separate issues from “Pekin has some lingering racial problems.” The objection that “but everyone else does it too” is both unpersuasive (as I’m sure y’all learned from your mothers) and serves merely to distract from the actual problem at hand.

• 21    moonglum // Jul 16, 2007 at 1:51 pm

  where there witnesses to this event? did anyone step in to stop theses boys, they where throwing hard objects at a baby for the love of god some one should have steped in and helped this mother out. There very clearly is still a racial issue in pekin.

• 22    Tom // Jul 16, 2007 at 3:14 pm

  Eyebrows,
  I wasn’t using that as an excuse, just pointing it out. you failed to comment on my other points. I have no use for racist people, and think they should be held accountable for their actions, just as I feel that the idiot who threw the block onto the passing car, in Peoria should pay dearly. All I was saying is that if this happened in another town, I doubt it would get the same attention, nothing more. As far a Pekin having a racial issue, do you really thing it is going to change anymore than it will anywhere else. Again, I’m not saying it’s OK, just saying that it won’t change until the way kids are taught and raised, changes.

  Knight, I’m guessing that the financial situation of those moving out of Peoria dictates where they move moreso that Pekin’s racist image. Those towns in question are comparable to Naperville, when looking for a place to move to in this area. I’m not saying that they are one in the same, but more upscale as far as the poverty levels are concerned. that is a key point to consider when moving your kids to a different school district.

• 23    Eyebrows McGee // Jul 16, 2007 at 4:57 pm

  “you failed to comment on my other points.”

  Well, I didn’t have comments on them.

• 24    Jo // Jul 16, 2007 at 5:10 pm

  Bottom line is Tom is right. Pekin has no more problems of any kind than any other community.
  Therapy is only needed for those who imagine things that are not true and have some sort of hero complex that drives them to save someone so they make something up to play the hero part.
  No one has blamed the mother in this case. The victim thing was made up by KID and Rodent to change the subject several posts back so as to dodge the Black facts.
  As far as I know there were no witneses just the word of the parties involved and who knows the full story? But if the kids are guilty they should be properly punished.

• 25    Another Brian // Jul 16, 2007 at 5:11 pm

  As a Pekinite, many people have told me I should check out this blog. Glad I did. It’s an interesting, important and overdue debate.
  I just want some clarification, so as I continue to tune in I’ll understand the nature of the discussion:
  First – we all agree that racism is bad, right?
  So far, I haven’t seen any extreme comments arguing otherwise.
  Second – we agree that no one community has managed to lick this problem completely, right?
  Third – we agree that there are bad elements in each race and stupidity, ignornace and intolerance is color-blind.
  Finally – can Pekin – or any community – claim that the race problem is not really as bad as it seems? It seems to me that ANY race problem is worth talking about and getting to the bottom of.

  Additionally, I hope we agree that perception is reality and that as of late I’ve never heard a comedian at the Jukebox joke about Peoria or Creve Coeur’s racism problem. Overcoming a negative image – earned or wrongly manufactured – comes at the cost of time and effort.

• 26    knightindragonland // Jul 16, 2007 at 6:13 pm

  Tom,
  What were Dunlap, Morton and Metamora 20-30 years ago? They were hardly Naperville equivalents then. They were tiny little Midwestern towns just like dozens of other tiny little Midwestern towns, not really any closer or farther from Peoria than Pekin.

  I’m not saying that Pekin’s reputation is the primary reason people chose to move to those other communities instead of here. I’m not even saying that a large fraction used that factor to make their decision. However, I think a significant number of people don’t even consider Pekin because of its reputation. Maybe they wouldn’t choose Pekin anyway, but many aren’t even presented the option.

  I was nearly one of those people. If my wife and I hadn’t found a great realtor that happened to be a Pekin native and convinced us to look at property here, I never would have moved here. I’d be in Peoria or Morton or Tremont and commuting to Pekin for work, just like many of my colleagues at Pekin Hospital.

  Most of the realtors in Central IL won’t do that. They won’t even present Pekin as an option. Why? Because most realtors used by the large area employers are based in Peoria where Pekin is spelled P-E-K-K-K-I-N.

  I’ll repeat myself again – is that fair? Largely the answer is no, although real racism obviously remains. However, perception is reality until you actually come over to Pekin and dig beneath the surfaces a bit. Because of this reputation, most people don’t even bother.

  Pekin has an opportunity here. The housing markets in Dunlap, Metamora and Morton are becoming crowded and gentrified. Families purchasing their first home are getting priced out of the market in those locations. Pekin has an opportunity to pick up some of that “action.” I think Pekin should have ambitions beyond being just another bedroom community for Peoria – and it has the infrastructure to do so (rail, river and highway with the airport right across the river), especially with the planned Veterans Drive expansion. However, a few hundred Peoria commuters and their taxes and spending within the community certainly wouldn’t hurt.

• 27    knightindragonland // Jul 16, 2007 at 6:56 pm

  Another Brian,
  I think most of the commenters here agree with your points (with the noted exception of “Jo”), and I think you understand my motivation in all this pretty darn well.

  I agree with your prescription to end the problem of racism in Pekin (real and perceived) – time and effort. I think it’s time to quit bitching about the unfairness of the reputation. I think it’s time to quit blaming all the problems on a troublesome minority. Those points may very well be true, but all that bitching and blaming does nothing to end the image and nothing to address the real racism that does remain.

  And oh, do real problems still exist:
  Exhibit A, the incident with the kids on Derby Street that I blogged about in this post.

  Exhibit B, the incident at the local gas station last year when the rumor sprouted that it was being bought by Arabs.

  Exhibit C, the continued popularity and defense of the production of “Chinks” memorabilia by local businesses.

  I’m sure there are more examples. Page through the comments on this topic, and you’ll find several more.

  We need to start the “effort” to eliminate racism, and, as a side benefit, begin to dispel Pekin’s negative image. We can’t continue to rely on time alone to heal all wounds. That’s the road to stagnation.

• 28    Tom // Jul 16, 2007 at 8:16 pm

  Knight, I agree on all points, except that those small midwestern towns were wthout poverty. Pekin has had it and has never been the draw that those small towns have been. Naperville was nothing but a small midwestern town 25 years ago. Look at it now.
  How do we address this problm? Like I said earlier, I think something needs to be done at the elementary level in the schools. Getting that done is another thing though. I do applaud your efforts and your passion on this subject.
  I’m curious, if you don’t mind my asking, how were the minorities treated at Richwwods when you were there?

• 29    knightindragonland // Jul 16, 2007 at 9:51 pm

  How were minorities treated when I was at Richwoods? Well, there’s no single, simple answer to that. There was some self-segregation – white kids hanging with white kids, black with black. We had a few teachers that held some semi-open racist beliefs, especially against blacks (ironic because both the teachers that I’m thinking of were homosexual and should have had more sympathy when it comes to prejudice).

  There were also strong friendships that formed across racial lines. I remember just before prom in my junior year, when two seniors – one white and one black, good friends – tragically drowned in the Illinois River.

  I didn’t really know Vince, the white kid … but I did know Terry Duncan. Not well, but we were on the football team together. He was one of those outgoing social guys who always had a smile on his face, always making people laugh. I can’t think of anyone that didn’t like Terry.

  I remember his classmates and teammates – big, tough linemen … State Champions – gathered on the football field with the coaches (Rod Butler, Doug Simper and Bob Easter, tough guys to the core), black and white, EVERYONE with tears streaming down their face for Terry. The whole school was distraught, and it didn’t matter what color you were.

  Was there hate? Yes. Was there segregation? Yes. But there were also incredibly strong bonds of friendship.

• 30    Tom // Jul 16, 2007 at 10:38 pm

  That is good to hear. It’s a shame that it takes guys playing together on a team, or a loss of life, to build these friendships but it has to start somewhere.

• 31    moonglum // Jul 17, 2007 at 9:53 am

  Knight, ten years ago I looked at living in Pekin. My wife and I where split between Bradley and ISU and looking to lower housing expenses. We looked at two apartments and where told in very clear terms that interracial couples where not welcome to rent there( I am of Hispanic descent, my wife Irish descent). We then spent ten minutes in a restaurant where I was called a wet back and informed that “my kind” wasn’t appreciated in your town. Things may have gotten better in the last decade or so, but I doubt that it has gotten a lot better. The racist may be a minority, but they are very vocal, and until the rest of the locals start standing up to them, well your town will continue to be known as a racist town.

  DO you vocal put down the person wearing the chinks tee shirt? Do you do anything to stop the overt or covert racism that happens in Pekin every single day. First you need to accept the problem, then those of you who claim to be decent humans need to actively and vocally stop the racists.

  And no this doesn’t happen in other towns…there may be individual racists but you don’t have a culture accepting racism. I have happily lived in Dunlap, Morton, Peoria, and Bloomington over the years, never have I seen the problems that I had in one day of Pekin.

• 32    Michelle // Jul 17, 2007 at 9:58 am

  I did not grow up around here, but it didn’t take long after I moved to Peoria in 1988 to learn all the local towns’ reputations.

  Morton: An expensive place to live full of snobs.

  Dunlap: Where you move if you have a lot of money and want your kids to go to school only with other privileged kids.

  Creve Coeur: The land of rednecks.

  Germantown Hills: Where to go build your cookie cutter house.

  I chose to move eventually to Washington, partly because it has great schools and is a real community with real neighborhoods (not just a collection of subdivisions). It was a great town and I lived there for many years, but for a number of reasons it began to make sense to move to Pekin. However, even after I got a job in Pekin, I resisted moving here for several years. I had three reasons I put off moving here. One was the crazy and annoying one-way streets, which I consider a big problem because I’m directionally dyslexic. Another was the fact that the schools are not as good as Washington’s. And another VERY big factor was the perceived racism. I can’t tell you how often it has happened that I’ve met somebody new and his or her reaction to hearing I live in Pekin has been, “Pekin? But isn’t that town really racist?” It has happened over and over again — people shocked that anybody would want to live in such a racist backwater. I always do my part to dispel that image, as best I can. About three years ago, I bit the bullet and moved here, and in general it has been a positive move. The only real downside has been that the junior high was not very challenging to my son after attending elementary school in Washington. He is doing better in the high school, however, where somewhat harder classes are offered. But that’s whole other can of worms.

  I doubt Pekin deserves its reputation any more than the other towns I listed deserve theirs. However, perception can lead to reality because people today do move around a lot, and will take a town’s reputation into consideration. People who do or do not like what a given town is known for will choose their destination partly upon these reputations.

• 33    Michelle // Jul 17, 2007 at 10:03 am

  One more note: I don’t want to leave with the impression that I’m criticizing Pekin’s schools. It’s not that Pekin’s schools are not good; it’s that Washington’s schools are exceptional. And a lot of the reason is that Washington enjoys favorable demographics. Pekin has more poor and disadvantaged students and those kids are more challenging to teach. I do believe that Pekin’s schools do a good job.

• 34    Scott A // Jul 17, 2007 at 10:29 am

  Moonglum, it is not my job to go on a personal crusade against racists in Pekin. If you have had a poor experience and feel things need to change, it seems that it would be YOUR duty, not mine. I lived there for 25 years, and never had or saw anything like what your experience was.

  Do you think that your opinion or anyones for that matter, will change the way these people think? No it will not. Are you blaming us, for the ignorance of a few? And by the way, try Fiesta Ranchero next time, I can assure that you will not be discriminated against.

• 35    Anon E. Mouse // Jul 17, 2007 at 10:39 am

  Scott A. sez: “I lived there for 25 years, and never had or saw anything like what your experience was.”

  I axe: Why do you think that is, Scott?

• 36    SamBob // Jul 17, 2007 at 10:42 am

  We moved back to Pekin recently because of the housing value, plus we have a coat in the closet from times past that I enjoy wearing to Washington, Morton, Metamora and East Peoria with PRIDE and not an ounce of disgrace. I wore it with pride then and I still wear it with pride.

• 37    Scott A // Jul 17, 2007 at 11:30 am

  Anon,

  That “sez” bullshit that you constantly post really detracts from your argumentS and points of view. Do you not realize how ignorant and immature this makes you come across?

  Anyways, I am sure that you are alluding to the fact that I am white. Although, contrary to your point of view, being white does not make me blind, deaf, or ignorant of my surroundings. You do not have to be a minority to be able to recognize racism. I was simply saying that I had never seen or witnessed an experience such as moonglums.

• 38    Jo // Jul 17, 2007 at 11:52 am

  Well said SamBob and Scott.
  And it is likely that some who do move to Pekin do so because of what they do not have to tolerate. So it is also likely that group off sets the other group that does not move here for the other reason. Freedom of choice, isn’t it wonderful.

• 39    knightindragonland // Jul 17, 2007 at 12:00 pm

  SamBob,
  I’m assuming that you’re talking about about a Chinks jacket. Thus, you are part of the problem. I challenge you to go on a trip to San Francisco and wear that jacket in Chinatown. Maybe then you’ll realize your own ignorance and disregard for basic human dignity.

  Scott A,
  Given your previous comments on this blog, I’m not sure that you’d recognize racism if it came up and bit you where the sun don’t shine. You certainly seem ignorant to your own racism. My guess is that you can’t see the forest through the trees.

  You are right about one thing, Scott A – it’s very difficult to change people’s opinions. That’s why we need to focus on the young people of Pekin, educating them that there are options other than narrow-minded hate. We’re not going to change the minds of most adults who hold racist views. I recognize that. However, we can let it be known that racist BEHAVIOR is not acceptable in our community. Maybe we can at least get people to ACT like they’re civilized, tolerant human beings with a basic regard for the dignity of their fellow man.

• 40    Brian A. Graham // Jul 17, 2007 at 12:12 pm

  Happened to come across this video I hope that it is productive.

• 41    Scott A // Jul 17, 2007 at 1:13 pm

  LOL, typical response doc. My previous comments merely suggested that people DO have a right to be a racist. Here in America my friend, we have a thing called free will. You can’t tell people who they can or can’t like. You have your morals, others have theirs. You don’t have any right to impose your beliefs on other people. Are people knocking on your door trying to convince you to be a racist? All I am saying is that people have a choice in this country to live by whatever set of moral standards they see fit. You were deemed chief of the moral police, and you should not act as such.

  Yes, behavior like this incident is unacceptable and despicable. Thats not what I am talking about. Most people do not act out on their racism, and those who do infringe on others’ rights should be dealt with accordingly. As long as no one elses rights are violated, I do not have any problem with somebody being a racist. That is their choice as a grown adult. It is not up to me or you to judge people. I don’t have to agree with it, but I can respect their right to live by their own personal convictions and morals.

  “Ignorant to my own racism”? What in the hell is that supposed to mean? If being a racist consists of being tolerant to all beliefs, as long as they don’t infringe on other individuals’ rights, then I guess that i am a racist.

  Racism is what you make of it. If you let it bother you, then it will. If you think of it as just words, who cares what someone else has to say or think. Would I be offended if I saw a black man wearing a shirt referencing “crackers”? The answer would be a definite no, and in fact I would probably laugh. They are just words my friend. Nothing more, nothing less. Now if he came up and punched me in the face and called me a cracker, yes I would have a serious problem. But that is where the law steps in, not the mighty moral police.

  Should we teach our children love and acceptance of ALL people? Of course we should. But a grown adult has every right to formulate their own outlook and viewpoint on life. And to call me a racist, just further demonstrates your inability to accept opinions other than your own.

  Just because someone disagrees or has different beliefs than you, does not make them inferior or in need of salvation from the almight Knight in Dragonland. Their is no right or wrong answer pal. Thats the beauty of it. If we all believed in the same thing, the world would be a dull and boring place with a bunch of robots walking around.

  You rarely see the point that people outside of your personal opinion are trying to make. You preach an open mind, but practice hypocrisy. If anyone disagrees with you, they are wrong and their opinion does not matter. Let me ask you this, are you ignorant to your own racism? Racism comes in all shapes and colors, doc. It isn’t just about skin color.

• 42    Jo // Jul 17, 2007 at 1:22 pm

  Amen Scott. Spoken like a real mature adult male.

• 43    Anon E. Mouse // Jul 17, 2007 at 1:57 pm

  Scott sez: “I am sure that you are alluding to the fact that I am white.”

  I sez: I had no idea you were white (although I kinda figured). It doesn’t really matter. I think you proved my point by the fact that it really ticked you off that I even asked the question. I asked you a simple question that you still haven’t answered, in spite of your mini-diatribe.

  Scott A. sez: “My previous comments merely suggested that people DO have a right to be a racist. Here in America my friend, we have a thing called free will.”

  I sez: People may have a right to think racist thoughts, but they most certainly do not have the right to infringe upon the freedoms of other through discrimination.

  Scott also sez: “That “sez” bullshit that you constantly post really detracts from your argumentS and points of view. Do you not realize how ignorant and immature this makes you come across?”

  I sez: That’s just the way I roll, pally. Deal with it and get over yourself.

• 44    mac // Jul 17, 2007 at 2:25 pm

  I am brand new to this site – just recently found it. I have lived in Pekin my entire life. Am I prejudiced? Of course I am. Everyone is to a degree. But probably not how you’d think. If i see a group of boys wearing their pants so low they have to hold them up by holding their crotches, using foul language, acting disrespectful, etc… I am going to already pre-judge their behavior -no matter what color their skin is. There are lots of other examples, that’s just one. I do not condone at all what these kids did to this mother and child – but it’s the behavior that should be judged (of the kids) not the color of the skin of the victim. But it is my right to be leary of that behavior, and to teach my child to not become involved with individuals who behave this way.

• 45    Scott A // Jul 17, 2007 at 2:38 pm

  Ohh, anon. You and Knight are like two peas in a pod. Do you actually read anyone elses posts, or do you just manipulate the content to fit into your agenda?

  Lets see here. In my post I said ” As long as no one elses rights are violated, I do not have any problem with somebody being a racist”.

  Your intelligent response was, “People may have a right to think racist thoughts, but they most certainly do not have the right to infringe upon the freedoms of other through discrimination.”

  Seems like the exact same things doesn’t it Anon? You are further proving my argument with these thoughtless comments.

  And as for your other comment, I already answered that question. Would you like me to retype my post?

  And I was far from ticked off sir, I just find it hard to take someone serious when they post and type like a 6th grader.

• 46    moonglum // Jul 17, 2007 at 2:47 pm

  Scott A: yes you have every right to continue to be racist. well as long as you still fallow the laws of the land. There are two landladies in Pekin that are dam lucky that I was just a stupid college kid and didn’t sue them for housing discrimination. The point is Scott you cannot whine about your town being labeled racist while you either do nothing to remove that label or in the case of Jo and SamBob you go out of your way to promote the label. Its been ten years, and pekin has gotten slightly better but it is still the only town in the area where you will find open, overt racism go unchallenged.

  While its true that I am doing nothing to change that fact, outside of warning others not to go to pekin I have no interaction with your town, you are the one worried about your image, you should be the one fixing it….or perhaps being known as a racist town doesn’t bother you.

  And Scott with you being lilly white you could never understand what racism is. Its not being rented to or sold to. Its being charged higher prices for all negotiable goods, its being fallowed around retail stores as if you where a criminal, and yet when you try to ask an associate for help they are all miraculously busy. Its being pulled over for routine traffic issues (5 miles over the limit, 1 month expired tags, ect) and getting pulled out of your car and frisked every single time. These are just me personal experiences, and I have gotten off easy as a Latino that speaks English very well. I am truly pained by what African Americans and Arabs ae subject to in this country. One of my old co-workers did the Pekin service call before me, this was back in 95, he is African American, I guess the locals didn’t take to kindly to him and he was literally chased out of town by guys filling up a pickup truck waving shotguns.

• 47    Scott A // Jul 17, 2007 at 4:05 pm

  Once again, another person who obviously can’t read. I am not defending the principal of racism, I am defending the right to hold that belief. Why can’t you people get that through your thick skulls? That is not being a racist. Being a racist is saying that I am better than you because I am white and you are hispanic. Where have i ever said anything close to a racist comment?

  I am not bitching about Pekin being labeled as a racist town. Knight is. I really don’t care what anyone thinks about Pekin. If you don’t like it or are offended by it, don’t move there. That is your choice. I choose not to live on the southside of Peoria because of the discrimination I would face as a white man. That is common sense to me, and does not offend me in the least bit. Its just the way the world works. It is inevitable. It is human nature to become divided whether it be by race, religion, sex, or profession. Why try to fight it? It only causes more tension and division.

  I chose to move out of Pekin, because I couldn’t stand the inept multitudes of white scumbags that have become common place. Does that make me a racist too?

  Your comment about me not being able to understand racism because I am white, is a little disturbing. Are you saying that because of the color of my skin I am not able to understand certain things? And this comment comes after a whole spiel of dispelling racism. Sorry, I am laughing too hard to type. Once again the hypocrisy of you closed minded people comes forth.

• 48    Anon E. Mouse // Jul 17, 2007 at 4:05 pm

  Scott A. sez: “Would you like me to retype my post?”

  I sez: No, I would like you to answer the question. although you say you did, you did not.

  Scott A. babbles along some more and sez: “I just find it hard to take someone serious when they post and type like a 6th grader.”

  I sez: I find it hard to take someone seriously when they reason like a 3 year-old child.

• 49    Scott A // Jul 17, 2007 at 4:21 pm

  Ok anon, I will play your game. Is this clear enough for you?

  Question: Why do you think that is Scott A?

  Answer: Well anon, I think that it is because racism in Pekin is not nearly as bad as everyone thinks. In 25 years living in Pekin, going through public school from kindergarten through high school, I never saw anything close to this type of behavior.

  Of course there was your typical black jokes and the whole “lets be racist to be cool” thing in junior high. But it never amounted to anything more than some derogatory names written on a desk or locker. No violence, no lynchings, no discrimination, no sodas thrown at babies, nothing.

  Like I said, people are basically cowards. Most people are closet racists and rarely actually discriminate against another. They may talk a good game around their buddies, but when it comes down to it, they keep their mouth shut.

  I know many racists, and for that matter, probably at least 75% of the people I grew up with, family members, friends, etc. I could label as being racist. Do you know how many times I have seen them discriminate someone or act unjustly towards someone based on their race? 0 times. Thats how many. And thats why I think that I never ran into this type of behavior growing up and living in Pekin.

  Or maybe its because I am just a flaming racist and overlooked all of the beatings and truck loads of Pekinites waiving shotguns and chasing every black person out of town.

• 50    Jo // Jul 17, 2007 at 5:51 pm

  Moonglum’s story about the landladies is possible but doubtful. But the shotgun story is nuts, just second hand gossip at best. But if the landladies property was private, they could refuse to rent to dumb blondes because it is their American right. If the property was supported with government funds that is different. But who would want to live where they felt they were not welcome anyway? In all my years in Pekin like Scott, I have never SEEN any race related problems that could be viewed as a Pekin thing.
  As far as SamBob’s jacket, there is a world of difference in the Chink word as it was used in past years and how some ultra sensative dogooders see it today. The bad word Chineese people would not want to truely be called is Gooks, the ones that invaded South Korea in 1950 and killed thousands of American GIs. They couldn’t be trusted then or now.

• 51    Anon E. Mouse // Jul 17, 2007 at 7:59 pm

  “Jo” sez: “But if the landladies property was private, they could refuse to rent to dumb blondes because it is their American right. ”

  I sez: Dumb blondes, I think, you could actually get away with not renting too. By religion or skin color, private or not, discrimination is against the law.

  Then “Jo” sez: “The bad word Chineese people would not want to truely be called is Gooks…”

  I sez: This is turning into the episode of “Rescue Me” when they had to go through sensitivity training.

• 52    Anon E. Mouse // Jul 17, 2007 at 8:05 pm

  Scott A. sez: “Ok anon, I will play your game. Is this clear enough for you?”

  I sez: Crystal. (I think your tone speaks volumes more than your words.)

  The funny thing is, I opened the door for your, albeit a bit angry, well-reason answer. All you had to do was walk through it. You seem so worried that I am out to get you or something.

• 53    knightindragonland // Jul 17, 2007 at 9:57 pm

  Scott A: “Where have i ever said anything close to a racist comment?”

  Well, here we go …
  “Gang bangin’ is a way of life for these people and it is because they are black.”

  That’s you, from Comment #44 under my post “Pekin Prejudice.”

  Earth to Scott – equating black skin color to criminal behavior is racist. You claim the high road as defender against the “thought police”, but what you’re really doing is trying to defend your own racism.

• 54    SA // Jul 18, 2007 at 8:27 am

  Mac got it right in post #44. Racism and prejudice are both inflammatory words that emasculate understanding someone’s real position or what they mean to say.

• 55    Ms. Teacher // Jul 18, 2007 at 9:45 am

  Hey, I have a novel idea. We all know Pekin has a racism issue, and we all keep saying we should do something about it, so why don’t we go ahead and do something?

  Arguing can be productive sometimes, but this is so incredibly circular that it’s not really accomplishing anything. I just read all 54 comments at once, and all I can say is that it’s pretty redundant.

  If we don’t want our town to be known as the one where all the racists live, then we need to actively do something about it instead of fighting about it.

  How do we do that? Should we have a forum of some kind? Hold a meeting somewhere? I’m done with words – it’s time for action.

• 56    Scott A // Jul 18, 2007 at 10:36 am

  Just stating the clear cut facts Knight. Are you going to argue that the vast majority of gang bangers are not black? Because that would be a completely naive and ignorant statement. You cut and paste 1 line out of an entire post and skew it to fit your agenda.

  You can’t deny things like this. It is not being a racist to state undebatable facts. Go down to Peoria or Tazewell county jail and tell me how many white gang bangers you see.

  How many black people do you see getting busted for meth labs? Am I a racist for infering that the meth problem in Tazewell county is directy correlated with white pieces of shit? This is not racism, pal. It is the world we live in. You can either accept that, or live in denial and call people like me a racist and never really even try to fix the real problems.

  And as for Ms. teacher, please don’t be so naive. As a teacher, you are probably the one person out of all of us who can actually make a difference. Meetings and forums are a complete waste of time lady. I am sure all of the racists in Pekin will show up in droves to be saved. You CAN make a difference every day by filling the minds of our youths with acceptance and love for all human beings. Kids are impressionable, and teachers can make a difference.

• 57    knightindragonland // Jul 18, 2007 at 12:46 pm

  Scott A,
  Ahh yes … I’m skewing your statements to fit my terrible agenda of reducing racism in Pekin. That is such a HORRIBLE goal, isn’t it? God forbid that actually happened!!! {mock horror} If you really think I’m just wasting my time, why are you so virulently opposed to that idea?

  Scott, there’s a BIG difference between saying that most gang-bangers are black and saying that gang banging is a way of life BECAUSE they’re black. What you’re saying is that their skin color somehow forces them to be gangsters, which is definitively racist and glaringly ignorant. Such “subtleties” elude you, apparently.

  Most gangs are populated by minorities, although there are probably just as many hispanic gangs as there are black gangs. Why minorities? Poverty, lack of educational & job opportunities, segregation, & discrimination. Anon’s made this point before, but I’ll repeat it – there’s no connection between the amount of melanin in one’s skin and criminal behavior.

  Oh, here’s another newsflash that throws a wrench in your neat little racist theories – there are white gangs. Ever heard of the Aryan Brotherhood?

• 58    Scott A // Jul 18, 2007 at 1:54 pm

  The bottom line Knight, is that you are really doing nothing to help end this problem. You have a blog on the internet to argue with people. How is this helping anything? I haven’t read one post referencing what you have done in your community to help solve this problem. Ohh wait, you are going to publically attack the T-shirt house for trying to make a living. I forgot. Hey, I am really all for it, but I think that you are all talk. And, I really don’t think that there is much you can really do.

  Now, lets move on. Of course the amount of melanin in ones skin does not predispose someone to become a criminal. Of course there are white gangs. There are exceptions to every rule, but the comparitive numbers based on population percentages are completely skewed.

  If you are black, you are much more likely to end up in prison than a white person. I dont see how you can argue this. I posted exact figures on a different post, but I believe that blacks make up 15% of the population and comprise 75% of the prison population.

  How can you possibly argue against these numbers? Remember most people choose to be poor. Most people choose to have 6 children with 6 different dads, and live in public housing and on public aid for their WHOLE life. People choose not to have a job. I put myself through college with government loans, are you saying that minorities wouldn’t have the same opportunity? Thats utter bullshit. This isn’t the 1960’s doc. There is no segregation. What world are you living in?

  Why is it that minorities from India, China, and Pakistan can come here, put themselves through school and make up a pretty good percentage of high paying jobs, such as doctors and engineers? Are you telling me that minorites from our own country don’t have these opportunities?

• 59    Anon E. Mouse // Jul 18, 2007 at 2:42 pm

  Scott A. sez: “The bottom line Knight, is that you are really doing nothing to help end this problem. You have a blog on the internet to argue with people. How is this helping anything?”

  I sez: He is bringing the issue up for discussion. He is shining a light on the ignorant. He is talking about a problem that some people in Pekin (and all towns for that matter) either deny exists or insist that there is nothing that can or should be done.

  Quite frankly, Scott, the fact that you take such offense at the entire conversation tells a lot about you.

  Scott A sez: “If you are black, you are much more likely to end up in prison than a white person. I don’t see how you can argue this. ”

  I sez: You’ve got to look FURTHER than color, Scott. If you are POOR you are much more likely to end up in prison. The problem is that if you are black, you are more likely to poor.

  And no, most people do not “choose to be poor.” Saying that shows how grossly ignorant you are.

  If there is a choice here, it is people who choose to remain ignorant, as you have done.

• 60    knightindragonland // Jul 18, 2007 at 4:41 pm

  First … I’m the only one talking openly about racism in Pekin, and I’m not doing enough about this issue? Wow, that’s rich … especially from you, Scott.

  Second … let me agree with my informal tag-team partner, Anon. The “they choose to be poor” theme is just appalling. Did you cut out your own heart, or did it just rot away?

  Third … on to my conniption … There’s no segregation?!?!? WHAT?! Are you @#$%ing kidding me?

  There’s no LEGAL segregation, Scott. That doesn’t mean that most cities in this country aren’t highly segregated.

  2000 Census Data:
  Census tract 7 (South City), Peoria County, IL -> 85.1% black
  Census tract 34.01 (North City), Peoria County, IL -> 2.4% black
  Overall demographics for Peoria County -> 16.1% black

  All the major cities in the Midwest that I’ve been to are segregated. Chicago is segregated. St. Louis is segregated. Cincinnati is segregated. Cleveland is segregated. You proclaim the de jure but ignore the de facto. Centuries of repression don’t evaporate overnight, or even in 40 years. At the current pace, desegregation will take generations.

• 61    Ms. Teacher // Jul 18, 2007 at 6:36 pm

  Golly, Scott, you’re right. I never thought about it before, but I should be a positive influence. Kids really are impressionable, but it took YOU pointing it out to me to finally realize what’s been true all along.

  I mean, gee whiz, I guess that means I have to stop all my hate-spewing. What a bummer. But I guess that’s what will be best for the kids. Thanks for letting me know!

• 62    Jo // Jul 18, 2007 at 8:53 pm

  Scott and SamBob, the below story best describes the rodent and knight and their type.

  A cannibal was walking through the jungle and came upon a restaurant operated by a fellow cannibal. He sat down and looked over the menu…

  Broiled Missionary: $10.00
  Fried Explorer: $15.00
  Grilled Liberal: $100.00

  The cannibal called the cook over and asked, Why such a price difference for a Liberal? The cook replied have you ever tried to clean one? They’re so full of shit it
  takes all day to get them clean enough to cook.

• 63    knightindragonland // Jul 18, 2007 at 11:48 pm

  I’m having trouble figuring out how my opposition to racism makes me some sort of radical liberal. Seems to me, Jo, that your politics lie somewhere to the right of Genghis Khan on the political spectrum. Time to advance a few centuries.

• 64    Anon E. Mouse // Jul 19, 2007 at 9:22 am

  Yeah, I gotta figure out how I suddenly turned into a liberal. (If that is the case, then I am proud to stand alongside my ultra-liberal mentors like Ronald Reagan, Abraham Lincoln, and Charlton Heston.)

  This is yet another example of people choosing to be ignorant. When you can’t win the argument, you resort to name-calling.

• 65    Shannon // Jul 19, 2007 at 11:22 am

  The Pekin Coalition for Equality (the group Brian Graham referred to) still exists and will have an active role at the Pekin Marigold Festival Kids’ Experience tent. They are operated through the YWCA – I suggest anyone wanting to know where to start on taking real action start there.

  As far as I know, that group has been in existence since 1991, maybe a little earlier. I’m surprised not to see that mentioned here.

• 66    L.W.S. // Jul 19, 2007 at 11:27 am

  I’ve been following this discussion on and off and really what this boils down to is social responsibility. There’s an interesting quote in the Wall Street Journal today by the chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, Mr. Dana Gioia.

  “Our country is dividing into two distinct behavioral groups. One group spends most of its free time sitting at home as passive consumers of electronic entertainment. Even family communication is breaking down as members increasingly spend their time alone, staring at their individual screens.
  The other group also uses and enjoys the new technology but these individuals balance it with a broader range of activities. They go out – to exercise, play sports, volunteer and do charity work at about THREE times the level of the first group. By every measure they are vastly more active and socially engaged than the first group.
  WHAT IS THE DEFINING DIFFERENCE between the passive and active citizens? Curiously, it isn’t INCOME, GEOGRAPHY or even EDUCATION. It depends on whether or not THEY READ FOR PLEASURE AND PARTICIPATE IN THE ARTS. These cultural activities seem to awaken a heightened sense of individual awareness and social responsibility.”

• 67    Scott A // Jul 19, 2007 at 11:44 am

  Knight, you gotta be kidding me? That is your definition of segregation? Because more blacks live on the southside and more whites live on the northside? What is stopping any black person from moving to the northside of town? Absolutely nothing. All you are doing is saying that the poor people (who are mostly black) live on the southside, and the richer folks (mostly white) live on the northside.

  This is not segregation. Everyone has a choice. If you don’t like living in the poor section of town, do something to better yourself. Start with getting a job, and progress from there. Neither of you have answered a single question I have posed. What is stopping poor people from bettering their lives through education?

  There are plenty of jobs out there for people who want them and assert themselves. Being poor is a choice for most people. I could have been poor, but I chose not to be. I chose to put myself through school and get a decent job. That was my choice. What is stopping anyone from doing the exact same thing? The only thing holding these people back is themselves, not their race or society in general. Why are you giving them a free pass based on race?

• 68    knightindragonland // Jul 19, 2007 at 2:25 pm

  Scott,
  You’re one of those people that yells “Get a job!” at mentally disabled homeless veterans begging on the street, aren’t you?

  You just enjoy your black-hearted fantasy world where escaping from poverty is a simple thing to do.

• 69    Jerry // Jul 19, 2007 at 5:59 pm

  Mouse: Truth is not name calling. Reading your posts, you could only be seen as conservative standing next to Jesse Jackson. Your posts prove you couldn’t carry Abe’s or Ron’s hat.
  Knight: In this case you are not opposing racism, you are opposing peoples right to be selective and judge by actions not talk. And as far as the poor thing goes, New Orleans is the perfect example of blacks as a whole wanting to live a lazy life and let the government take care of them. They have regressed so low that they had no thinking ability to save themselves and the same goes for their black leaders, as in Ray Nagen. Then try to blame everyone and everything else. This is all documented and can only be denied by religious liberals who can not follow the bouncing ball of truth.

• 70    Michelle // Jul 19, 2007 at 8:05 pm

  Scott A., where on earth did you get the idea that people choose to be poor? OK, we all know there are a few people who refuse to get a job, and that’s not in dispute. But for every such person, there are many, many, MANY more who do work, and who are still poor. Quite a few of them do have college degrees, too. I don’t know what field you are in, but I’m assuming it’s one that pays reasonably well. Bully for you! Many others work very hard but cannot get ahead. There are many careers vital to society’s well-being that nevertheless don’t pay well. I know of many people making not much more than minimum wage who are struggling to pay off their college loans for the education they really thought was going to help them make a better living. It’s actually a very complex problem, Scott A. We need for some people to perform social work, or care for the elderly and disabled. Or provide daycare. Or play in a symphony or dance ballet. I could go on. There are people for whom doing such work is a joy, and they get satisfaction knowing they are making a difference in this world. What they don’t get, oftentimes, are decent paychecks. But I know of many poor people who are contributing more to this world than many a highly paid professional. Which isn’t to disrespect people who make their livings that way at all. It’s just to say that people make varying amounts of money and I’m sick of people disrespecting the working poor or suggesting people choose to be poor. Personally, I think saying the poor chose their lot is just a way to wash our hands of any responsibility for them. And I think that’s really a lousy attitude.

• 71    Anon E. Mouse // Jul 20, 2007 at 7:55 am

  “Jerry” sez: “Truth is not name calling. Reading your posts, you could only be seen as conservative standing next to Jesse Jackson. Your posts prove you couldn’t carry Abe’s or Ron’s hat.”

  I sez: Again – you can’t win on the points of your argument, so you insult me.

  Just to clarify, my arguments are that:

  1. People should be judged by their own individual actions and not on stereotypes.

  2. The amount of melanin in a persons skin does not predispose them to anything other than sunburn. Having more melanin does not lead ignorance, sloth, or criminal behavior. Having less melanin, as “Jo” and “Jerry” have demonstrated, does not make one smarter, more industrious, or more polite.

  Attempts to label me (and my politics) as “liberal” based on the above arguments is not only stupid, but childish. So, allow me to address this in a manner which is both befitting the insult and in a manner which you will be able to understand.

  I am rubber.
  You are glue.
  Whatever you say bounces off of me
  and sticks to you.

• 72    Isaiah Olchap // Jul 20, 2007 at 8:21 am

  “Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” – Dr MLK Jr.

  Anon E. Mouse a liberal?!!! I would sooner believe in the tooth fairy and that the Cubs will win the series… every year for the next 5 years!!!

• 73    Jerry // Jul 20, 2007 at 8:44 am

  Mouse: True, skin color automatially does not predespose anyone to anything. But subjected to something long term does and and that is exactly what our social welfare system has done to the black community as a whole, also you can see it in many of the younger white population, just not to the same degree. This lazy attitude does not show up in blacks in other modern countries, so it is something that they have learned from our society. And you can’t explain away the facts of New Orleans and other similar places that blacks dominate and have lowered the values. To much welfare has made slaves and addicts of those getting it.
  As far as labeling you or others with your own statements is normal because those reading your posts have anything else to compare you by, and if persons want to be taken seriously then they must speak and write maturely, or be marked as morons.

• 74    Anon E. Mouse // Jul 20, 2007 at 9:30 am

  “Jerry” sez: “True, skin color automatially does not predespose anyone to anything.”

  I sez: You start off agreeing with me…

  Yet, then, “Jerry” sez: “you can’t explain away the facts of New Orleans and other similar places that blacks dominate and have lowered the values.”

  I sez: …and then go right into your racist viewpoints again, contradicting your earlier sentence. Your reasoning doesn’t make any sense.

  Lastly, “Jerry” sez: “…if persons want to be taken seriously then they must speak and write maturely, or be marked as morons.”

  I sez: …As you and “Jo” and Scott A. keep proving time and again.

• 75    Jerry // Jul 20, 2007 at 10:07 am

  Mouse: From reading many of the posts on this issue, it’s clear you, knight and most others have labeled Jo and Scott and now me as racist because of views held based on our standards. When standards are based on real life actions not imagined, that takes it out of the realm of theory and it becomes fact. Now you and others my set your standards lower, your right, but to force lower standards on to others is a form of racism.
  Racism is not liking someone because of race, or color period. I have read nothing from Scott or Jo that indicates that in the slightest. They (we) expect all humans to meet a minimum level of social, moral responsibilities. Does that make us and others snobs to some, perhaps and I can live with that label.
  And so far everything I have seen written against this type of logical thinking is only someones opinion and wishful thinking, not on evidence. You and others keep dodging evidence and failing to support your positions with proof and for good reason, there isn’t any, all the facts support our side of the ledger. And that is why so often your thinking looks inmature. Sort of like arguing the world is not round inspite of the evidence.

• 76    Anon E. Mouse // Jul 20, 2007 at 11:20 am

  “Jerry” sez: “From reading many of the posts on this issue, it’s clear you, knight and most others have labeled Jo and Scott and now me as racist because of views held based on our standards.”

  I sez: Your own words beg to differ. All you’ve got to do to NOT be called a racist is leave the color of a persons skin out of the equation.

  “Jerry” sez: “Racism is not liking someone because of race, or color period. I have read nothing from Scott or Jo that indicates that in the slightest.”

  I sez: Liar, liar, pants on fire.

  From “Jo” – “Just about every place Blacks (as a whole) put themselves on TV and other entertainment or public sources they act and speak in ways that cause those with civil manners to reject that as acceptable.”

  From “Jo” – “go any where U.S.A. where Blacks are in any social inviroment and you find bad talk, bad actions, bad manners and worse”

  From “Jerry” – “New Orleans is the perfect example of blacks as a whole wanting to live a lazy life and let the government take care of them.”

• 77    Jerry // Jul 20, 2007 at 11:45 am

  Ok Mouse: As a whole, the overwhelming people in New Orleans, Detroit and other places that are majority of one type have social and moral problems. Now no skin color mentioned. So no race involved and I still have no respect for them. But the problem still is there. And your type ignores the problems has been said many times in the past few days. You and them play the blame game instead of changing and catching up with the adult world. Facts don’t change no matter how long they are denied.

• 78    Anon E. Mouse // Jul 20, 2007 at 12:27 pm

  You want to blame the people who ran New Orleans for not doing a good job on the evacuation – cool. You want to blame the fools who did not take the opportunity to leave – that’s fine. This has nothing to do with this situation. (Remember the young woman and her infant child assaulted on the streets of Pekin simply because her skin color was different?)

  “Jerry” sez: “…your type ignores the problems has been said many times in the past few days. You and them play the blame game…”

  I sez: What problems have I ignored? Exactly what “blame game” have I engaged in?

  To reiterate, my arguments are that:

  1. People should be judged by their own individual actions and not on stereotypes.

  2. The amount of melanin in a persons skin does not predispose them to anything other than sunburn.

• 79    Jerry // Jul 20, 2007 at 1:54 pm

  Mouse: Yes I remember the woman and the bicycle incodent, and I agree that the boys should be harshly delt with, and they are white and maybe from white trash families. I am white so does that make me a racist agaist white, of course not. Because like you, I and some others have said the same thing, judge them by their actions be it by individual or any group small or large of any color. It is not your fault or mine that most of those in Detroit and New Orleans and other like cities are of low character, based on the actions we see and read about constantly. No person with an I.Q. above slug could argue that.
  Glad you finally are seeing the light.

• 80    Anon E. Mouse // Jul 20, 2007 at 2:48 pm

  “Jerry”
  My position hasn’t changed at all. Not even an inch.

  I stand by all my posts in this and every other thread about this subject.

• 81    Tom // Jul 20, 2007 at 4:43 pm

  Things are the way they are, just don’t talk about it or you are labeled racist. I’ve said before that I could care less who lives in Pekin, as long as the living conditions, as far as safety is concerned,and the crime rate, stays the same. Now, does that make me a racist?
  The kids were DEAD WRONG to do what they did and should be dealt with harshly, no matter what skin color the victim was.
  Had that been the other way around, in the south end of Peoria, the results may have been worse. Anyhow, teach the kids a lesson.

• 82    A Knight in Dragonland » Racism Will Not Be Tolerated // Jul 21, 2007 at 10:51 am

  [...] then. After 81 posts at my last discussion of racism in Pekin, it’s time to close up shop there and start a new line of discussion. Let me take this [...]