Racial (In)Justice In Small Town Rural America

By Robin A. Jones, PhD

Rural America and Racial Bias. In Rural America there is an undertone of racial bias based on climate culture. Growing up, in a small town, it was all too familiar. I was born in Jackson, Ohio, and grew up in Chillicothe, a farming community of cornfields and livestock. There was one high school for 300ish graduating seniors, and the elementary school classrooms were a mix of approximately two-to-five Black students, all sequestered along the back row. The City of Chillicothe, Ohio, has a population of less than 25,000, and describes the area as “the foothills of the Appalachia” or “God’s country.” This is not about a city without recognition or history. Chillicothe, is rich in Ohio, twice being the Capital of Ohio, and all while born of the State’s Great Seal.

Yes, they live Among Us.

Chillicothe, unlike the urban counterparts, rural residents often see members of the local police force as their neighbors. ‘Folks’ may know where the sheriff likes to grab lunch. Some have his cellphone number in their phones. Locals know which officers they can build a relationship with and which to avoid. Yes, there are “Klansman” as we call(ed) them, among us. Always ready to throw up a hand and say hello!

Do You Really Know Your Neighbor?

Those who live in Rural America know that the lives of residents’ are intertwined across races. Families may have lived among each other for generations. In some tight-knit communities, it doesn’t matter how many years someone has lived in the town, they’ll never be fully considered a local if not born there. For Blacks growing up in rural areas there is a fair amount of denial about racism in their communities, as they recount their experiences with injustice and hate. The comment, soft slaves continues to exist with mother’s and grandmother’s all poised to clean houses, wash and iron laundry, while replacing the ‘mammy’ with ‘nanny’. There is a mix of Black and White, along with a blend of Bi-racial. While the climate is set for toting guns, the look becomes dismal while seeking displays of basketballs.

How did we get Here?

Early immigrants to Chillicothe included free Blacks who settled into the rural farming communities. Shotguns and hunting became their way of life. You have to ask yourself, “Was it their way of protection or as they like to put it, ‘eating off the land’?” Yes, the ‘game’ was plentiful with pheasants, quail, deer, rabbit, and if it moved on four legs, “it was good eatin’”. Because Ohio was considered a free state during the Civil War era as a ‘Free Black’ you came with fewer restrictions than in the slave states. Living in a ‘trusted’ community gave way to creating a vibrant ‘Free Black’ community.

What is the Mason Dixon Line?

As it was, Chillicothe maintained ‘safe’ stations and aid to support the refugee slaves that were tunneled on the Underground Railroad. While many history books depicts the runaways on ground, the water-ways sheltered much of the refugees. They could not be tracked through the water. So, the Ohio River which borders the state, known to the community as the Mason Dixon Line, divided the north from the south. By the tunes of, “Row Jordan Row,” the slaves crossed the river to freedom. From the Ohio River up to the Scioto River, which ran through Chillicothe for the Underground Railroad. It became the perfect stow away while they put more distance between their former homes and slave hunters. Aided by White abolitionists, the rural farmers (Jones family, my father’s grandfather, (John) and uncle) operated a barge from West Virginia, to Cincinnati, Ohio, along the Ohio River. All while teaching the runaways how to read and write.

Racism and Equality.

Since before the signing of the Civil Rights Act, much of the country has rallied against racism, and data suggests that the United States is a long way from full social or material equality. While racism may no longer be entrenched in laws, the result of years of discrimination is clear in today’s racial divide and myriad inequalities. However, even decades later, there remains vast inequalities between whites and blacks in the United States. In comparison, below the Mason Dixon Line, Black Americans have a stronger belief about the injustice and living among white America. Southern blacks believe the bias can be equated to living as a conservative Republican, which is not just the normal, it is practically required.

The Disparity is Palpable without Undertones.

With rural America’s racial disparity, an even greater economic pitfall. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 1 in 4 rural Black Americans live in poverty; for whites, it’s just 1 in 10. Accordingly, small towns and farming communities that residents describe as “close-knit,” do not hold their White ‘associates’ accountable for a more level playing field. According to Ms. Resident, “In order for a Black to get an opportunity, someone has to give them an opportunity. Blacks don’t get jobs based on credentials alone, we need a “who” you know.”

Confronting the Elephant in the Room.

Assigning the task of confronting racism to those most victimized by it heaps insult on to injury. If America is ever going to heal, White people need to step up. With many hopes and dreams of affection for small town residents, they seem to view the place through two distinct sets of lenses. Some see it as an agreeable refuge; other as an imperiled redoubt.

Dr. Jones has a commitment to strong work ethics, education, and a passion for entrepreneurship. Robin started her career path with GE as a database developer building her first database for the F14 Aircraft Fighter planes and from there she catapulted her way to the position of Interim CIO. In her 40+ years of employment in technology, Robin spent 12 of those years gainfully employed as founder and entrepreneur of a multimillion dollar company which received national awards and presidential recognition. From there Robin’s career advanced to fortune 50 companies such as IBM, Ashland Oil, and the U.S. Departments of Energy, and Defense. In her most recent capacity, Robin retired from University of California, Berkeley - Haas School of Business, Computer Center as Senior Manager, PMO Director. Today, Robin continues to work in the field of higher education as an Associate Professor, and she is a strong advocate for children in K-12 who are Twice Exceptional.