My Take On Southern Race Relations

I love that there's a magazine named
"Garden & Gun" that comes
out of the South. 

I've had some time to digest my trip back to the south after being in the West for almost a year now (can you believe it??). And there's something I noticed a lot this trip that I hadn't noticed before: in the South, there are only two races-black and white. And one major religion: Christian.

I wouldn't say that I'm naive, but having been exposed to this the majority of my life, it causes me to not think about things fully. I'm not going to say I'm ignorant because I don't think I am. I'm just forgetful. For example, Yom Kippur wasn't even on my radar this year. Didn't think about it because I've never had to think about it before. Clearly there are all types of people, races, ethnicities and religions here in LA. I'd never really been in a place in the US where all the signs were written in Korean. It feels odd, but kinda nice to be next to that much diversity.

And going back to the south, there were things that I missed there too about being in a two-race town, so to speak. I like being called "child" by strong black women. I don't know why, but I find it reassuring. It feels like a verbal hug. I like that there are multiple options for fast food chicken, including a gas station. I feel guilty when I see an older black man in a service uniform like a bell hop or a waiter in a white coat. I love being called "ma'am" by people much older than I am because it's a courtesy and not a slight. It feels nice to be able to get a decent biscuit nearly anywhere I went. I like that butter is treated as a nearly religious condiment--almost the accoutrement to the wafers or wine.

I feel like race relations get so much attention in the South for a variety of reasons: history, of course, but also it was one of the few places that only two races or ethnicities really interacted. I feel like when there are a multitude of people who are "different", then everyone is different. When there are only two, one's getting the short end of the stick.

But maybe that's just me.

What's up with the Tornadoes?

I've never been a big fan of tornadoes. I can't think of many people who have actually been through one are. I never understood people who thought it would be cool to chase down the storm.

I'm totally a "in the bathroom with my cats huddled in the tub" kind of girl. And I don't see anything wrong with that.

So I applaud my smart storm friends who were lucky enough to make it through the recent tornadoes that hit the south and the Midwest. My family lives in a town with some flooding so there's really no end to the effect of the storms.

What I am thinking about is whether there are more than average tornadoes this year. Doesn't seem like there have been more and with a higher degree of destruction than before. First St. Louis and the Midwest, then the South. I honestly think everyone needs a tornado break. Do you think I've got enough pull to arrange that or should it be requested by a multitude of people?

Either way, I know those who were affected would appreciate the break from the storms and every one would like the chance to catch their breath.