Comments on: Kentucky, USA

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:44:53 +0000

Thanks for responding and you are right, I was not attacking you. I feel better knowing that, that is not your mind-set. You have a good day and wonderful life.

God Bless!

By: MJG

MJG — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 01:46:21 +0000

David- The ‘old home place’, exactly. Definitely get your kids over there if you can, was one of the defining experiences of my childhood- wouldn’t want them to miss on that chance. My grandparents are also getting old, and they almost had me in tears as my grandmother said ‘I’m glad you could get out here now, I don’t know how much longer we’ll be here for you to visit.’ That really shocked me- they’ve always been so steadfast and sturdy. But, age.
Karen’s comment, glad you see there was no insult intended, and seems we agree one exposure is not enough to properly judge a place.

By: MJG

MJG — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 03:16:43 +0000

Karen- Am happy to be corrected on this matter. Re-reading what I wrote maybe it seems a bit glib, to draw such a conclusion from one bus ride. It was striking, that’s all. As for me being closed-minded and uneducated, well, I’m happy to let those things slide, as I don’t think you’re really attacking me, but the mind-set that you think I have, which I don’t. In general I’m pretty well-informed, but in the socio-economics of the area around the Oxmoor Mall, I’m afraid I only had that one data-point to consider.
As for people being warm-hearted and friendly, I have no doubt you are correct, and in no way do I think someone is measured by what they drive. I myself have never owned a car.

By: David Meyer

David Meyer — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 02:55:43 +0000

I’m grateful for Karen’s comment calling my attention to this post.

I didn’t realize MJG had a connection to the US, and such a strong one. My mother’s family is from Mississippi and MJG’s account of his Kentucky visit made me nostalgic for my own visits to the “old home place”. It has been too many years since I’ve been back. Recently Grandma’s health hasn’t been good and my mother has discouraged the idea of too many visiting her at the same time, but I wish my five kids could have the chance to know her and experience that country.

Concerning Karen’s comment, her words are a bit harsh and I think she may be reading an insult into MJG’s brief comment that wasn’t intended. On the other hand, it’s also best not to leap to conclusions about a community based on a single exposure.

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:08:41 +0000

I’m glade that you had a good time with your family and you really should come to visit more often . I must say that as a black person myself I was floored when I read that you were the only white person on the bus. That I don’t believe. I come from a very large family and every person that is of age in my family has a nice or new car and/or truck. My husband and I have two children and we all have cars, my husband also has a truck and a motorcycle. Since you were here in 2008 when gas was very over priced, a lot of people black, white, Asian, Spanish and other races were riding the bus more. There are many people of color that live out by and past Oxmoor Mall. Not only is this a poor observation- but it is one that is not true. I’m not sure of what you mean by “obvious the gap is”. The only thing that I find obvious, is the you are a very closed minded uneducated individual. You should come back and see more of the inner city. You might be surprised to know that the people (blacks, whites, Asian, Hispanic, West Indian and many others) in Louisville, KY are friendly and warm hearted people.
Is a person measured by what they drive? I believe you said that you were on the bus.

By: MJG

MJG — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:33:19 +0000

Billywest- It’s an interesting place, especially for me with some history there. You can probably do all the interesting spots in a few days, a week at most to do everything of note.

Tornadoes- Thank God for Lincoln!

Alice- Me too, and of course I wish I’d had more time with Joe and Vicky.

SY- Thanks a lot!

By: SY

SY — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:14:50 +0000

Kentucky seems beautiful and your family all look great!

By: Alice

Alice — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:03:59 +0000

I really really really really really really wish I had been there xx

By: Tornadoes28

Tornadoes28 — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:47:08 +0000

Looks like you had a classic Kentucky experience during your visit. It is amazing that the Lincoln cabin is supposed to be the original.

The Union had so many great defeats it is hard to keep count. Thank god for Lincoln.

By: billywest

billywest — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:58:39 +0000

This is the most I’ve read about Kentucky in my entire life, I think. But, I’ve been through the state several times (Used to drive 18-wheelers cross-country before I graduated from university) and enjoyed most of the scenery. All Americans should definitely visit the “Heartland” sometime.