I think Suzanne asked some fair questions and I could write an awfully long post about why we differ. As it is I’ve decided to make it relatively brief and will happily follow up on any questions you’d like to ask or any comments you’d like to make.
1. Race is undoubtedly a can of worms, but ignoring it won’t make it go away. Unless we are willing to talk about and accept the fact that we live in a racist society (and I’m not limiting it to African Americans) then how are we going to change for the better?
2. No my school wasn’t the "cream of the crop" but UK state schools are far superior to the US equivalent. As someone who was training to be a teacher I’m amazed at how underfunded and inept the US school system is.
3. You can’t equate me with the norm. I had a hit record and became wealthy. There are many musicians more talented than myself who never had that luck. Yes I’m proud of what I’ve achieved but it’s hardly pulling myself up by my bootstraps.
4. Yes I send my kids to private school and the reason is partly #2. It’s also the fact that I believe my children’s education (knowledge AND values) is the most important gift I could ever give to them outside of love. There is no conflict with being a Democrat and still wanting the best for your children. Sometimes we even eat expensive food and travel first class.
5. The most important difference – Snow Hill had a large black population. I saw first hand the abuse. I saw my friends being treated differently at school, in the street, by shop owners, by bus drivers, by policemen. I can’t ignore the "can of worms". I also saw underprivileged kids just like myself who didn’t have the good fortune that I ended up having. Whether it was luck, education, or the "blessing" of having no active parents instead of abusive ones, who knows? All I know is that I can’t look back at them (or today’s equivalent) and say "you’re on your own kid, I’ve got mine so I’m off". To use a military analogy – a lot of my platoon have been left behind and the least I can do is go back and try to save a few.
I’m off to bed. Watching Sarah Palin on Fox news has done my head in. Even Diva asked – "What is she saying? I don’t understand a word. She talks but none of it makes sense". I’m sorry but I have to come out and say it – she makes Bush look like a genius.
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