I was born and raised in Memphis, and was part of the grand social experiment known as bussing from 1973-75. I was taken from my middle class 90% white neighborhood and sent 9 miles away to a 99% black high school.
There was 1300 kids in that HS. 44 - about 3 % - were white.
It was quite a culture shock for this white boy. Suddenly YOU are the minority. The social environment, the new slang terms, the dress code - all were based on black culture. I think the two biggest surprises for me were:
1) the unique experience of having a jukebox in the lunchroom cafeteria with all the disco and Mo-town music blasting during the 40 minute lunch break.
2) the celebatory expressions used by the student body at pep rallies. Very loud, a lot of dancing and music.
Fortunately I was somewhat prepared. My father worked for the Pupil Services division of the Memphis City Schools. Basically, he supervised the suspension process with 11 other other administrators. So he had dealt with all types of students - black and white - that had demonstrated anti-social/violent tendencies. He once showed me at his office a file cabinet with a huge variety of weapons taken from suspendees -knives, brass knuckles, shanks made of scissors, ice picks, plastic shards, leather gloves with roofing nails pushed outward through the knuckle area, bats with nails driven through it (similar to what Kurt Russell used in "Escape from NY"), combs or "picks" that had the handle end sharpened to a point, razors, etc. This was the summer before I started being bussed.
He gave me some practical advice, some basic "do's and don't's". It helped that I was about 6'1" and 225 pounds, but the bottom line was I never was attacked. I only had two specific instances where I had racial slurs yelled at me in the entire 3 years. I distinctly remember other black schoolmates being embarrassed by the insults. There was not a "pack mentality" of "pay whitey back" 30 years ago.
At the same time, we need to remember this was in the early to mid 70's, so behavioral norms were still being formulated for use in the newly integrated school system by both races. Also, most of the black students realized the 44 white kids being bussed there were NOT part of the problem. We did NOT engage in white flight, so I think we were given some level of respect.
But there was an accountability in the 70's we don't see today. There was discipline in the schools back then. Teachers enforced it. I NEVER heard profanity openly directed in a group/classroom setting toward a teacher, and RARELY at other students.
Now, the football locker room is exempt from that rule, LOL! That is a totally male environment where discussions on "taboo topics" are commonplace in the most vulgar of terms. Yes, I was the only white player on the team. Suffice it to say I had quite a few myths dispelled in my 3 seasons. I believe my black teammates likewise had a few misconceptions eradicated as well.
The truth is I never worried about actually being KILLED at school, or walking into a bathroom and witnessing a rape. I never saw - or even heard of - consensual sex under the stairwell or in the gym. It just wasn't on the radar. I'm not saying it didn't happen 30 years ago in public HS....I just never witnessed it or heard about it.
Today, 30 years later, it has gone downhill too quickly. The violent tendencies have escalated tremendously. Students are much more "in your face" and openly disrespectful and profane toward teachers. Assaults, rapes, drug abuse, gang beatings, and murder happen on an almost daily basis. The Memphis public schools, with maybe a few notable exceptions, are a lost cause. I know middle aged parents of both races that have their children in private schools. It is just not worth exposing your children to that environment. The expense and sacrifice of nice summer vacations, cheaper clothes, driving the car an extra 3-4 years, and less Christmas gifts is WORTH it.
I fear for my younger nieces and nephews. They are between 4 and 10, and will soon be entering junior high. My brothers and their wives have a serious decision to make.
We lament about the Aruba tragedy, but the real opportunity for harm to your child is at your local public JR or SR HS!