Bethelites - The chosen ones :) But I'll say something nice about them - Since I was an orphan child my mother wanted them around me as much as possible. There was one that lived in the Queens Assembly Hall as a caretaker. I spent the night at the Assmebly Hall with him a few times. We had a lot of fun, eatng all the left overs from the Assemblies - Remember the Orange Floats? Hmmmmmmmm. He was from CA. and he dressed funny. Remember, as a kid growing up in the inner city, Plaid was a no no in the early 80's. Kinda reminds me of Barnaby Jones :) His name is Dave P. He taught me many things - How to write an outline, Give a talk, and most important, he taught me about beer :) Yes, I learned how to drink at Bethel (of course I was under age.) That's all the guys did, especially after playing basketball at a place near Bethel called the 'hole.' I also remember one time he was engaged and he brought his girlfriend on my study - they couldn't keep their hand off each other :) Anyway, he was a nice guy and he made being a JW fun. I wonder what ever happen to him.
On another note - Raced played a major factor in the views of Bethelites. Many Black mothers considered it a privileged for their daughters to marry a white Bethelite. These guys were treated as Gods - a savior even. Many sisters would pioneer just so they could be accepted into Bethel. In many cases, not all, The Black family would consider it a 'step up' and the White family would always say "Couldn't you do better." Personally speaking most Black JW's I know don't like being Black or what's associated with being Black. When I was growing up I never saw any Black images in Dubs home, In fact if any hint of Blackness was to surface they would discourage it. However, other cultures were acceptable. My mother even said "She didn't like Black people." I think that's one reason why she loves the Borg. - It's a White Organization. Oh man, you should see how she catered to them, treated them like Kings or Faithful Men of Old. I wonder if she would feel the same if the organization had an all Black GB - I seriously doubt it. Remember the 'Greatest Man' book and the picture it had of all the apostles? I wonder what the view would be if they were all painted as Black men. However, her views are just a reflection of the western world we live in. If Jesus or God was always portrayed as a Black guy I wonder how many Christians we would have. If color doesn't matter why not paint Jesus Black for the next hundred of years and see what would happen. If the Pope was Black or if the Priest that molested all these children were Black I wonder what spin the News would put on it. Actually, the one ex [Black] priest that admitted to molesting a child was put in jail. I wonder why the other priest weren't arrrested? If the founding father's of this country were all Black I wonder how patriotic Americans would be.
For what it's worth - Peace - LL :)
