Where I grew up we only had two black families and there were never more than 3 or 4 in school. There was only one in my school, and in my class. He was treated no different than anyone else.
I grew up on the east side of youngstown, ohio. all my friends were black, but know what? I didn't give a damn. We played baseball, football and any other sport you could think of. I thought nothing less of them because of their skin color.They were my friends. It wasn't until 1966, when civil rights came to be, I began to be considered the "enemy" based soley on the color of my skin. I got in more fistfights in two years, with my friends, than I'd have ever thought possible. 1969 we moved, but, you never, never EVER forget your childhood friends. I miss them.