I as you guys may have read from my post I live in a very small southern town(I shudder to think of myself as a "southerner"). I am smart and what people call a social butterfly. I usually get along with everyone even if they don't all get along lol. When I was going to school I wasn't very popular amongst the students. The black children said I acted white because I used proper grammar, didn't dress like them(a lot of them were poorer than me and they couldn't afford nice clothes),refused to act ignorant,liked to read for pleasure and was very openminded(I got in trouble in 6th for telling my sex ed teacher that I was totally pro choice and why hey she started it by pushing her prolife views on me). The white kids were raised by racist families and were taught not to talk to me because I was black. Well I needless to say I hated school and couldn't wait to be done so I could go to college. I graduated,went to college and now I am back home until I can find a job. Now that I'm back whenever we go into town I see old classmates who I haven't seen in almost 10 years.You would think we had all grown up now and put childness behind us right? Nope not them there was one girl who use to bark at me and my friend back in high school (no joke growl and bark) she saw me in walmart and she got down(her 4 kids were watching her) and started to bark at me like she did in high school. Another time I was at the mall 30 min from my town and I saw one of my classmates working in bath and body works. She was very rude and tried to make a comment about me paying with a check instead of a debit card.Then she added that I still talk white and think I'm white. The worst part about my classmates acting like this is that THEY HAVE KIDS OF Their OWN! I could keep giving examples but then this post would be a book.My mom says their is a lot of mentally ill people in this town several people have been put away. So here are my questions : Why do some of my classmates (especially the black ones) act in this manner I mean shouldn't we all have grown up by now? Have any of you ever expierenced anything like this when you go back to your hometowns?

Some people never grow up, ever.

Sometimes, stupid is a terminal illness.

You can't get away from ignorant people, no matter where you go, you just have to learn to ignore and avoid them as much as you can.

The best reaction, to this type of ignorance, is no reaction at all. Once they realize that their stupid behavior does not effect you, they will stop, and try to find a victim that will react.

Oh yes I've started that... Once I saw another classmate in the mall who in high school was the main "mean girl" and she walked over to me and said hey what you doing here I thought you left to be a mind doctor(everyone knows I was a psych major in school). I gave her a BIG hug and told her I graduated and was looking for a job. I then asked how she was and how life was treating her. She started to brag about being a secretary at the police training center and bragged about having 3 kids by three different daddys. She then called be boougie(stuck up) for wanting to get a sleep number bed when I get my first paycheck. I just looked at her like she was crazy and smiled and told her it was nice seeing her again good luck with life. She just stood there dumbfounded it was so funny.

I raised my kids in a small town, so I know how it can be in that type of setting. Yes they should have grown up by now, but some people don't know how to disagree with someone's else's views or lifestyle without disrespecting that person. I work with many professional black women that use proper grammar, dress well, do not act ignorant, like to read for pleasure, and are open minded. I know there are still some parts of the country where white people are racist against blacks, but you cannot change their ignorance. My suggestion is that you look for a job in a different area where you will fit in comfortably and be happy. You sound like a very strong black woman that knows her own mind and I think you will do well. I wish you the best.

I'm from a small town and I know exactly what you're going though. You might feel like no one understands you but but why would you want to fit in with them anyway? Find a job in a place where similar people will love you for who you are. :)

I grew up in the South and I still live in the South. I never saw racism and hopefully racism is a dying thing.

My question is why do you care what people who you haven't seen in 10 years think? Meet some people that would like to be your friend. There are ways of going about that. And you have graduated high school, graduated college, and will soon be employed. So you are on your way. I wouldn't allow yourself to care about people that can only hold you back.