There is a church group who call themselves the "Moses" people, who come to our little town in Mississippi every year and through local black churches find out who needs a wheelchair ramp or home repair etc. done on their house. I've never heard of them doing anything for white people--if they do, I've never heard of it.

BUT: I saw three men of this group in the local Western Auto store and commented to one that he had a northern accent--he said yes, they're from Michigan, taking applications from people who need help, so I filled out a form--name, address and phone # and that afternoon, the three men arrived accompanied by a nice black lady who seems to be coordinating the group.

I said I really need my house pressure washed. I really do. It looks grimy. They acted like I was wasting their time. #1, I'm white, #2 pressure washing the house they sneered at because it's not something they can go back to Michigan and feel smug about doing. I should've asked about having them recaulk the bath tub--I need that too, but sneery attitudes intimidate me, so I didn't mention it.

I'm thinking there must be thousands of needy people in Detroit and other cities in Michigan, poor people in ghettos and run down neighborhoods who need repair help--why in the h*ll do they come to Mississippi?
They think going to Mississippi is equivalent to going to a third world country, and can return to Michigan after a couple of weeks and say to other people "I've been THERE--to Mississippi! We helped out the poor black people! Aren't we special!" As if they'd been to Haiti or something. That burns me up.

The most likely reason why they don't help folks in their own backyard is because they might get shot or robbed. But they can't fail to notice there are no homeless people here, no one begging or panhandling on the street-- by black or white, and every person has a dwelling of their own, be it ever so humble, not a city high rise ghetto.

And I'm glad they are here at this time of year when the earth is a green carpet and blooming flowers everywhere--so beautiful--how can they fail to notice?

Go home to Michigan and help the people in your own backyard. Charity begins at home.


susil