INDEPENDENT LENS | THE ORDER OF MYTHS | Film Clip 3 | PBS

[NoGuff]

"Segregation" by choice is not segregation.

No one is being forced to have their own "segregated" Mardi Gras activities. That would be segregation.

I'm so sick of Liberals constantly trying to perpetuate the myth that segregation exists in the USA and that Southerners are racists. I even had a good friend, an educated woman, tell me that racism & segregation in the South not only exists & is commonplace, but is also part of local laws.

She only knows this through lies & propaganda.

[nola305]

This crap is sickening ! This is tantamount to filing suit because your'e denied admission to the Ku Klux Klan. Why would "Black" people(also with traditions and culture ) ,want to actually participate in this mask wearing, dull boring and stiff " mardi gras " Ball ? Does the Black populace in Mobile consider their MG Ball inferior ? I just don't get it ! There are no CIVIL(legal) reasons for this type of bellyaching by Black people in Mobile to have. ORGANIZE YOUR OWN, BIGGER AND BETTER.

[broman9tre]

First I want to thank you for directing me to this video. I've always wanted to see it, but had no idea it was on youtube. I have to somewhat agree with skittles2325. So far what I've seen of this documentary seems somewhat exaggerated and only pinpoints a smalll prtion of what Mardi Gras in Mobile is ALL about. I honestly have never even had the thought or interest in attendiing a MCA ball. Not because I COULDN'T go, but simply because I didnt have the interest.

[daveibukun]

Oh boy, this is scary, realllllly scary. I thought the younger generation were supposed to be the hope of the country.

[kd4kzz]

The Mystic Stripers are not the SAME organization as the Strikers.

[skittles2325]

I was born and raised in Mobile, AL and I am very proud of the state's heritage. My family has a proud history of belonging and participating in Mardi Gras societies and festivities. This documentary does not give the whole truth and prefers to latch on to the smallest section of this which is the fact that most societies are segregated. Not all are and throughout the Mardi Gras celebration our city comes together as one and celebrates. Being proud of history does not equate to racism.

[seekerseven]

It's hard to believe these young people are still as racist as their old parents were, oh wait, Alabama, never mind

[PaulsDena]

To be SURE, Mardi Gras mystics began a few hundred years ago, based on EUROPEAN Catholic traditions. The societies segregated based on nationalities, social standing, income etc.. Today, in every city there are many PRIVATE clubs with their own prerequisite for membership. People are free to choose who they socialize with. Mardi Gras in Mobile is and will always be a beautiful, wonderful, magical and fun tradition, anyone who disagrees is still welcome to a moon pie.

[nola305]

Why in hell would Black people in Mobile want to join an organization like this ? This reminds me of the "Gone with the wind" movie. The Black populace in Mobile should pave the way and set the example by opening their membership to everyone as the Zulu organization in New Orleans did years ago. Stop forcing yourselves where you're not welcome. There's no way a "mask" can conceal a person's identity.

[kendjo]

how come no black people are in the strikers.

[jax1492]

i don't think you understand who they are ... they have roots in the ku klux klan and maybe still have ties ... they are the old south or are trying to keep it that way.

[skittles2325]

The Mystic Stripers (not strikers) do not have ties with the klan and never have. This celebration is not about the old south it is a celebration leading up to lent. I have studied the history of Mardi Gras for years.

[ubuibiok]

*****