Tonight the little woman and I went out to a huge movie theatre that we’ve gone to for years and for the first time met face to face with a majority of the community that transplanted from New Orleans from the Hurricane Katrina. You might ask, do I feel sorry for them at all? Sure maybe cause they lost their homes. But on the whole, no. Not after what I witnessed. How can our society breed such an unappreciative angry mob?

I got my answer in something simpler than I could have ever imagined and I pointed it out to my lady friend and we both realized it was very much true. What was it? A coke commercial.

Take a good look at the video. What was the last major step forward, or major thing that is recognized? There have been some accomplishments, but we continue to look to the past - we look 40 years into the past. 1963 was the last time the black community had a strong leader? What has happened since then?

You know what was most disturbing, I saw a black guy I knew by face only, never met him, he had worked at my old corporate job. He and his wife were walking out at the same time and I saw him shake his head. Not soon after I heard some of the Katrina people say something like “uncle tom”. I could see it in his face, not shame. Anger. Anger that men of the same race just didn’t get it. Anger that they discriminated against him for wanting to succeed. Not because he wanted to be the first black executive, but because he knew he was the best man for the job. Anger that he had worked hard, stood up and said “This is me, I am a man,” not, “I’m black, you owe me something.” I look at other countries when I travel, this sort of thing just doesn’t happen. But here, inequality runs deep.

The crazy thing is that myself and the little woman both come from two southern states that have a great deal of racial tension. In moving here it was so refreshing to meet people who were just nice, down to earth. Austin is such a great melting pot of people who in reality get along very well. Maybe its because Austin is a bit more liberal? I’m not sure but tonight, as I drove home I was quickly reminded of what I left behind. And the sorrow I felt for that man who got so angry. Can I understand exactly how he felt? No. But I can empathize.