Are there any Quora users who vividly remember the segregated South? If so, what are your most memorable recollections?
First I would like to point out that segregation was not just limited to the South. I grew up in Southern Indiana, and segregation was alive and well there as well. I was born in 1940, and when I was 9 or 10 years old, my dad took us to a football game at the one “Black” high school that blacks were permitted to attend. My Dad was a part of a group of Jaycees who helped support the school. My mother had a black maid the entire time I lived at home, so I grew up with a black lady as part of my home environment. I am so very thankful she was a part of my life. I never heard any racial slurs at home, but I heard them outside the home all the time. The blacks lived in a neighborhood near the center of town, and were not allowed to purchase a home outside that area. They could work only in menial jobs that paid little.I would also point out that my dad din’t have any black employees. To his credit, he paid the entire amount of our maids FICA and Social Security; nothing was deducted from her pay. When she could not work any longer, she was able to retire with a social security check every month. Later, she became ill, and my mother, a retired nurse, would visit her regularly and take her to the doctor when needed. But believe me that was not the norm.There were no lynchings in Indiana that I was aware of, but they continued in the South and I heard of them from time to time. I vividly remember the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Bobby Kennedy, who dared to face the bigots and challenge their activities, while asking only for peace and equal treatment that our Constitution calls for. I was saddened to think of the hatred that accompanied the era, and still feel the same way.I am a Freemason, and the one criticism I had concerning that institution was the lack of black members, and the refusal of Masonic Lodges to recognize the Prince Hall Masons (who are black). Then the Grand Lodges began to recognize Prince Hall Masons, except the Southeastern states, who, as one might expect, continue in their bigotry. I am a Texas Mason, and so very proud that we, as most of the state Grand Lodges, now not only recognize Prince Hall Masons, but also accept people of color, and of various religions into our lodges.
What are some great Hollywood movies based on a real story?
1. Catch Me if You CanLeonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks are major characters in this story based on the life of Frank Abagnale Jr.2. Schindler’s ListA true story of Oskar Schindler during World War II – a man who saw the Jewish Holocaust in Holland and changed from corrupt businessman to a concerned employer.3. American GangsterBased on the true story of drug lord Frank Lucas and the detective who brought him down, both Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington star in this biography drama.4. Beautiful MindRussell Crowe plays John Forbes Nash, Jr. in this story about a real mathematical genius and his struggle to greatness.5. Remember the TitansThis story depicts the life of African-American football coach Herman Boone and his coaching experience at T.C. Williams High School in Washington D.C.6. 127 HoursA film based on the real life experience of canyoneer Aron Ralston who was stuck while climbing and fought to survive.7. Into The WildAfter graduating from Emory University, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandons his possessions, gives his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters that shape his life.8. October SkyThe true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes.9. The Social NetworkHarvard student Mark Zuckerberg creates the social networking site that would become known as Facebook, but is later sued by two brothers who claimed he stole their idea, and the co-founder who was later squeezed out of the business.10. The Pursuit of HappinessA struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional endeavor. It’s perhaps the best movie based on real story that i’ve come across. Must watch!!Thank You.Edit: Thank you for the upvotes. Thank you quora. My first 7k views and 80 upvotes and quora digest. God bless