But allegations in Mississippi this week have shown tension between the two races is very much alive.

Nsombi Lambright, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi, said she is worried students' free speech has been limited since the election.

"We've been hearing that students have been told they couldn't say the name Barack Obama," Lambright said.

An educator in Madison County has contacted the group but did not want to go forward with allegations for fear of retribution, she said. Lambright urged students and parents to come forward as well.

"This is a historic time for our country, and it's really unfortunate that students aren't able to talk about it," Lambright said.

The bus driver and the coach with the Pearl school district have been disciplined for allegedly telling students not to say the president-elect's name.

"It is unfortunate that some employees mishandled this situation, but they have been disciplined, and I have spent the day clarifying our policies," Superintendent Greg Ladner said in a written statement.

He did not say what form of discipline they received.

I guess I should be happy the offending employees were slapped on the wrist instead of given a promotion?    For the record, Pearl and Madison are both considered to be in the greater Jackson area.  Pearl is 10 miles east, and Madison 15 miles north, of Jackson.

The backlash in Madison is probably due to the 'socialist' tax policies that Obama is pushing.  Madison is the upscale urban yuppie haven around here, while Pearl is still predominantly considered redneck, even by folks in Madison!!   While Mississippi is certainly at the lower end of the economic and wage scales in America,  this Obama animosity in Pearl and Madison is coming out of what are basically URBAN areas of above average income (Mississippi standards...LOL)

I've got a GREAT picture of Pearl Mississippi here.   It's a couple years old and was taken at the Interstate 20 exit for Pearl Mississippi.   I think they finally cleared the area, but this was/is NOT a blighted area, even then.  Mississippi zoning is some of the most WHACK stuff you'll ever see in your lives and remember, this was WITHIN city limits.  All bets are off once you hit the county.....