Upon reading this fascinating novel & memoir by Lillian Smith, I’ve been on a heavy divergence kick as of late. Her book “Killers of the Dream” is all about growing up in the South in the 50’s. Like, the deep deep south in the age of institutionalized racism. The mannerisms highlighted in the reading are mild, pleasant and, well, Southern. But the themes, the juicy meaning behind the smiles and “good afternoon”s is gnarly.
The people of that time were in a brainwashed trance, set for them by their leaders. The idea that blacks were not to be respected as whites were, was phony. Yet, the vast majority of white people held true to that ideal. Many, deep in their souls, knew that it was wrong. But they continued to play their role on the stage, playing along with the charade in order to maintain their status and cheap (free) help around their houses and properties. At some point or another, the civil rights movement gained enough steam to be called such, and many Southerners became conflicted, frustrated and confused. Some began to cling even more tightly to their racist traditions while others listened to their personal truths, separate from the talk around town. The schism was very real, which created a window for the clashes we see between our own American people, even to this day.
The whole premise of this book reminds us of how large the scope of the issue actually is. Racism is in no way okay or is in no way a small issue. But the greater problem is that of following the crowd for the path of least resistance. The majority of humans don’t want to rock the boat. They don’t want to cause trouble for disagreeing with their neighbor or create any reputation for themselves based on a “wild” opinion of theirs. The behavior I describe here is seen as cowardly, typed out on a “page” yet completely and utterly normal in every day life, regardless (almost) of where you are on this Earth.
The ideals that one should be married at a certain age, should be attracted to the opposite sex, should drink beer and not smoke weed or any other widely accepted reality are completely irrelevant to human happiness, impact on community or successful path in life. They are guidelines for those that listen to the one, most powerful, voice. Those that “are not to be disputed.” Those that write the laws.
The people of that time were in a brainwashed trance, set for them by their leaders. The idea that blacks were not to be respected as whites were, was phony. Yet, the vast majority of white people held true to that ideal. Many, deep in their souls, knew that it was wrong. But they continued to play their role on the stage, playing along with the charade in order to maintain their status and cheap (free) help around their houses and properties. At some point or another, the civil rights movement gained enough steam to be called such, and many Southerners became conflicted, frustrated and confused. Some began to cling even more tightly to their racist traditions while others listened to their personal truths, separate from the talk around town. The schism was very real, which created a window for the clashes we see between our own American people, even to this day.
The whole premise of this book reminds us of how large the scope of the issue actually is. Racism is in no way okay or is in no way a small issue. But the greater problem is that of following the crowd for the path of least resistance. The majority of humans don’t want to rock the boat. They don’t want to cause trouble for disagreeing with their neighbor or create any reputation for themselves based on a “wild” opinion of theirs. The behavior I describe here is seen as cowardly, typed out on a “page” yet completely and utterly normal in every day life, regardless (almost) of where you are on this Earth.
The ideals that one should be married at a certain age, should be attracted to the opposite sex, should drink beer and not smoke weed or any other widely accepted reality are completely irrelevant to human happiness, impact on community or successful path in life. They are guidelines for those that listen to the one, most powerful, voice. Those that “are not to be disputed.” Those that write the laws.
This might all seem very woo-woo, but each day the reality is branded deeper and deeper into minds of humans all over this planet. The idea that immigrants of certain majority-Muslim countries can no longer enter the US under the same terms, because they are Muslim… Is not only ludicrous without human consideration… It is astronomically unfair to those that are negatively affected by it. Yet none of this would BE an issue if it weren’t for widespread support for such an ideal.
“I’m a Republican, so I support what our leaders put on the table.” “I’m a Democrat, so I condemn anything, accurate or not, that Mr. Trump says.” It’s all the same. Two sides of the same coin, and they should have thrown out the quarter for a dime decades ago. For those that hate or love unconditionally, without any biological connection or full understanding of the circumstances, are ignorant. That may seem bold, and I accept any and all comments to the notion, but I have the feeling that save a few reactionary events, people will agree.
“Killers of the Dream” is not only a book by academic and Southern culture expert, Lillian Smith. It is an accurate title for those creating the unnecessary, and sometimes hurtful, subconscious laws of human behavior. The same ones fed by the cowardly trait of millions of people today.
Don’t follow the rules you do not understand. Under any circumstances. Learn first. React on your own terms, completely. The “killers of the dream” don’t know my dream. Make sure they won’t know yours either.
- 7Ply Epic
“I’m a Republican, so I support what our leaders put on the table.” “I’m a Democrat, so I condemn anything, accurate or not, that Mr. Trump says.” It’s all the same. Two sides of the same coin, and they should have thrown out the quarter for a dime decades ago. For those that hate or love unconditionally, without any biological connection or full understanding of the circumstances, are ignorant. That may seem bold, and I accept any and all comments to the notion, but I have the feeling that save a few reactionary events, people will agree.
“Killers of the Dream” is not only a book by academic and Southern culture expert, Lillian Smith. It is an accurate title for those creating the unnecessary, and sometimes hurtful, subconscious laws of human behavior. The same ones fed by the cowardly trait of millions of people today.
Don’t follow the rules you do not understand. Under any circumstances. Learn first. React on your own terms, completely. The “killers of the dream” don’t know my dream. Make sure they won’t know yours either.
- 7Ply Epic