My Natchez, Mississippi story

[PhineasJWhoopee]

A friend of mine who works for an airline gave me a buddy pass that entitled me to fly to any of airlines destinations on standby.

I decided to go Natchez, Mississippi because I'm interested in architecture, and Natchez has a large collection of antebellum homes. In planning my trip, I went to the events calendar on the city of Natchez website. The only event during the time of my travel was a Mardis Gras Ball. The calendar said it was a private event but gave the name and number of a contact person. Being somewhat bold, I called the number and introduced myself to the woman that answered the phone. I told her that I was visiting from New York and had never been to a Mardis Gras Ball before. I asked her how one gets an invitation to such an event. She told me that she was the krewe captain and that I that I would be welcome to come and join her at her family's table. She explained that it was black tie affair and that I would have to wear a tuxedo. She added that it was an African-American krewe and that I would "see a lot of brown faces". I chuckled and said that was fine.

Anyway, the Ball was at the Natchez Convention Center. I met my host and her husband and they seated me at their table. It was spectacular affair with lavish costumes and a Rhythm and Blues band. There was plenty of delicious food, and although there was alcohol at some of the tables, I didn't see anyone abusing it. There was about 700 people there, and I think I only saw one other caucasian. I didn't feel the least bit uncomfortable. My hosts treated me like I was part of their family and went out of their way to make sure I was having a good time. It was one of the most enjoyable evenings of my life, and I will never forget it.

So, that's my Natchez, Mississippi story. If you made it this far, thanks for reading.

Needless to say, I have a warmness in my heart for Natchez, and the Krewe of Janus. Thank you for your kindness to a stranger. There is hope for humanity.

 

[pontifex]

in case anyone else is curious:

A krewe (pronounced in the same way as "crew") is an organization that puts on a parade and or a ball for the Carnival season. The term is best known for its association with New Orleans Mardi Gras, but is also used in other Carnival celebrations around the Gulf of Mexico, such as the Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa, Florida, and Springtime Tallahassee as well as in La Crosse, Wisconsin[1] and at the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.

 

[PhineasJWhoopee]

in case anyone else is curious:

A krewe (pronounced in the same way as "crew") is an organization that puts on a parade and or a ball for the Carnival season. The term is best known for its association with New Orleans Mardi Gras, but is also used in other Carnival celebrations around the Gulf of Mexico, such as the Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa, Florida, and Springtime Tallahassee as well as in La Crosse, Wisconsin[1] and at the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.

Interesting, I just moved to WI and live a couple hours from La Crosse. I'll have to check that out.

 

[JulesMaximus]

A friend of mine who works for an airline gave me a buddy pass that entitled me to fly to any of airlines destinations on standby.

I decided to go Natchez, Mississippi because I'm interested in architecture, and Natchez has a large collection of antebellum homes. In planning my trip, I went to the events calendar on the city of Natchez website. The only event during the time of my travel was a Mardis Gras Ball. The calendar said it was a private event but gave the name and number of a contact person. Being somewhat bold, I called the number and introduced myself to the woman that answered the phone. I told her that I was visiting from New York and had never been to a Mardis Gras Ball before. I asked her how one gets an invitation to such an event. She told me that she was the krewe captain and that I that I would be welcome to come and join her at her family's table. She explained that it was black tie affair and that I would have to wear a tuxedo. She added that it was an African-American krewe and that I would "see a lot of brown faces". I chuckled and said that was fine.

Anyway, the Ball was at the Natchez Convention Center. I met my host and her husband and they seated me at their table. It was spectacular affair with lavish costumes and a Rhythm and Blues band. There was plenty of delicious food, and although there was alcohol at some of the tables, I didn't see anyone abusing it. There was about 700 people there, and I think I only saw one other caucasian. I didn't feel the least bit uncomfortable. My hosts treated me like I was part of their family and went out of their way to make sure I was having a good time. It was one of the most enjoyable evenings of my life, and I will never forget it.

So, that's my Natchez, Mississippi story. If you made it this far, thanks for reading.

Needless to say, I have a warmness in my heart for Natchez, and the Krewe of Janus. Thank you for your kindness to a stranger. There is hope for humanity.

This was really the entire point of your post wasn't it? The "fact" that you are tolerant of the black man?

Is there a lot of racism in your past that you are trying to overcome?

 

[PhineasJWhoopee]

This was really the entire point of your post wasn't it? The "fact" that you are tolerant of the black man?

Is there a lot of racism in your past that you are trying to overcome?

I was invited back to the ball next year. Would you like to join me?

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Of all the places in the US you could have visited you choose some podunk ghetto city in Mississippi? Then you go out of your way to emphasize that you get along with black people.

Where is AMDhunter when you need him.

 

[Sluggo]

In case you guys don't know, some of my best friends are black.

 

[PhineasJWhoopee]

Of all the places in the US you could have visited you choose some podunk ghetto city in Mississippi? Then you go out of your way to emphasize that you get along with black people.

Where is AMDhunter when you need him.

I try to get along with everyone, including ignorant punks.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

In case you guys don't know, some of my best friends are black.

lemme guess you also own a black car & and black and white TV too?

 

[QueBert]

I try to get along with everyone, including ignorant punks

ATOT will test this, I read your other thread and I must say you seemed to not react negatively at all to the people attacking you. I fear ATOT will change you though, this place is overflowing with ignorant punks who go out of their way to be douche nozzles. Some make it impossible to get along with them. If you're still this mellow in a year you'll deserve a medal.

lemme guess you also own a black car & and black and white TV too?

His computer case is probably black also...

 

[PhineasJWhoopee]

ATOT will test this, I read your other thread and I must say you seemed to not react negatively at all to the people attacking you. I fear ATOT will change you though, this place is overflowing with ignorant punks who go out of their way to be douche nozzles. Some make it impossible to get along with them. If you're still this mellow in a year you'll deserve a medal.

His computer case is probably black also...

I try to get along with ignorant punks, not that I always succeed.

Thanks for the kind words.

 

[deadlyapp]

ATOT will test this, I read your other thread and I must say you seemed to not react negatively at all to the people attacking you. I fear ATOT will change you though, this place is overflowing with ignorant punks who go out of their way to be douche nozzles. Some make it impossible to get along with them. If you're still this mellow in a year you'll deserve a medal.






His computer case is probably black also...

anyone who loves jeezus like he does is bound to accept us intolerant bastards.

 

[PhineasJWhoopee]

This was really the entire point of your post wasn't it? The "fact" that you are tolerant of the black man?

Is there a lot of racism in your past that you are trying to overcome?

Interesting perspective. I've never felt the need to have to "tolerate" somone because they have more or less pigment in their skin.

There's so much negative information here I thought I would share something positive.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Interesting perspective. I've never felt the need to have to "tolerate" somone because they have more or less pigment in their skin.

There's so much negative information here I thought I would share something positive.

Then why point it out at all?

 

[PhineasJWhoopee]

Then why point it out at all?

I was responding to your comment that the purpose of my post was to show my tolerance, and I responded that this wasn't at all the case.

 

[PhineasJWhoopee]

Let me ask you a question, and try not to ask a question back: Do you think prejudice enriches ones life or impoverishes it, and why?

Let's see if you're capable of providing an honest, reasoned response.

I'm betting that you're capable of it. Please don't prove me wrong.

 

[Ruptga]

Telling someone about a "black guy in the restaurant that just wouldn't shut up" isn't acceptable because them being black has nothing to do with the situation. It doesn't really add any details that you couldn't otherwise infer.

Telling someone about a "big party, it was in Mississippi and I was the only white guy there" is acceptable because it is descriptive. You would expect such a party to be notably different than something similar but full of white people.

tl;dr - Mostly black events have a different flavor, especially in the south, so saying they were black is useful information. An asshole is an asshole regardless of their color, so that's not really useful information. Learn the difference.

Oh and to be honest, when I read the title I expected something a little more like this.

 

[LtPage1]

That's awesome.

 

[Balt]

I lived in Natchez for many years. Did you visit any of the local restaurants?

 

[foghorn67]

They have seen a Natchez riverboat. Looks awesome. One day after a storm it looked quite dirty. It was renamed the Dirty Natchez.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Let me ask you a question, and try not to ask a question back: Do you think prejudice enriches ones life or impoverishes it, and why?

It impoverishes it...no question about it. Everyone is prejudiced to some degree, but its when prejudice leads to hatred that I find despicable. I think most of us despise people whose prejudices are based simply on race or gender.

Prejudices will affect you in a way that you will loose the opportunity to really know others or even to really choose what you want to do. For example, my Father-In-Law is extremely biased against homosexuals and has been very vocal about it despite the fact that his son is gay (he doesn't know this-or doesn't want to admit it) and it has caused a great deal of conflict in his son. I feel bad for both of them because they are both suffering because of it. His son is afraid to talk to his father about his sexual orientation and he constantly has to hide his feelings and cannot talk openly about his relationships because of this.

You seem to go out of your way to add details that simply don't add anything to the story though. For example, "although there was alcohol at some of the tables, I didn't see anyone abusing it.", what does this add to the story exactly other than to show you don't approve of people who drink alcohol?

Let's see if you're capable of providing an honest, reasoned response.

I'm betting that you're capable of it. Please don't prove me wrong.

You asked me a question...and then you followed it up with these two very condescending statements. In fact, a number of your posts are just dripping with condescension. No offense, but you just rub me the wrong way.

 

[jersiq]

...You asked me a question...and then you followed it up with these two very condescending statements. In fact, a number of your posts are just dripping with condescension. No offense, but you just rub me the wrong way.

Then why bother posting and asking questions in a thread he created? Reaching for the cactus indeed.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Then why bother posting and asking questions in a thread he created? Reaching for the cactus indeed.

Why bother posting at all?

 

[Born2bwire]

ATOT will test this, I read your other thread and I must say you seemed to not react negatively at all to the people attacking you. I fear ATOT will change you though, this place is overflowing with ignorant punks who go out of their way to be douche nozzles. Some make it impossible to get along with them. If you're still this mellow in a year you'll deserve a medal.






His computer case is probably black also...

Well thank God you've been immune to this.

 

[jersiq]

Why bother posting at all?

I know you are intelligent enough to differentiate between posting and posting with an intent to purposely shame someone to never post again. Given the information you've given, that's what you are trying to do. Why not just put the dude on your ignore list if he annoys you that much?