Lots of places have old laws on the books, and this one likely is one of those that are still laws, but their useful purpose long since has past. I remember that when I started learning to drive in the mid 70s, it was illegal to honk the horn, and rideaway always went to the horses on Front Street. Such honking would have spooked the horses. There hadn't been a horse on Front Street in at least 20+ years, but it was still a law. Probably hadn't been a horse on front street since WWII, but the law was still there.
And just for the record, its much better in Bainbridge too. I haven't been in that area for a very long time, but the last time I was in that general area and it too though not perfect, was much improved. Just because there was judicial supervision doesn't mean attitudes haven't changed. I can't say now, but I always have wondered whether it was easier to change an attitude or a bureaucracy.
The wife grew up in a small town in Michigan. It had two main industries, work for the auto industry and prisons. That county had very few african americans in it. The town itself only had about 6000 people total. Once in a while some of the companies would get inspectors that checked census records. The records would show they had only hired a very small percentage of people of color and would show up to find out why. It took about ten minutes for them to figure out that census records showed about 30,000 and a totally different make up. Then they realized that they were counting the people on the hill that wasn't exactly available for employment. The paperwork made it look like a problem, when in fact it wasn't (or at least not like they expected.)
One thing I learned over the years. Newspapers and the media are the worst source of information. You have to walk the sidewalks and talk to the people. The eyes can not hide the heart.
Again though nothing is perfect, it is getting better every year that passes.
Mark
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: I have a dream
From: MichaelHughes7A@xxxxxxx
Date: Sun, August 22, 2010 4:33 pm
To: List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students
<photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To add my 10cIn December 1988 I was in Dearborn MI and saw that a local ordinance had just been repealed and that the Afro Americans there could now walk in the public park.and yet, downtown in Detroit the first Afro American mayor was appointed in 1973.Michael in Norwich
