I know, I was just joking, because there ain't nothing black about that man But he gets a pass because of his skin color, although he might be traded in a "Race Draft"
I have a fair amount of experience with circumstances such as the one described by Haven. Walking through parts of Houston and New York, it is not uncommon to see youth circling the neighborhood aimlessly on bikes and initiating conversation with people on the street. What these people are *typically* doing is selling drugs. They will try to get you to talk to them any way they can, by asking for directions, asking if you are 'ok', etc. That is your cue if you are interested in a deal. I also worked with troubled inner city youth for a period of time, and have seen this with my own eyes. I guarantee you that is what happened in this case.
i've dealt with thousands of people, whether they be white, black, yellow or brown. i would have to say that black folks tend to be the most racist of them all. yellow folks don't follow too far behind though.
Thanks for all the comments. I can't think of a single post here that I didn't think held some insight - regardless of position. This is why I miss this board, even though I've been on a self-imposed exile - just get too worked up during some of the arguments - and decided the pain wasn't worth the pleasure. I intentionally didn't respond for a couple of days because I wanted to get a complete picture of the board's response before tainting it with a reply . In response to someone's question...I guess there's no harm in saying that I live in Hyde Park in Austin. It's definitely nice neighborhood, though it's reasonably close to some others where there is some level of crime. I enjoy late night walks. I take them often if I can't sleep or am pulling an all-nighter. It's rare that I see anybody, save maybe an occasional jogger who has an odd shift or a late-night college kid going home after too much partying. I clerked with the DA's office in my 2nd year of law school - and had looked at the crime statistics of my neighborhood - there weren't many at all (nothing really but MIPs and one odd-ball murder that made headlines state-wide). The neighborhood is mostly white, but I know of a couple of hispanic and black families there as well. Looking back, I'm absolutely certain that it's not a brightline issue. I'd have been spooked by a white guy saying the same things. I would not have been spooked at 2pm by the black guy. I was not *very* frightened initially - just thought it judicious to keep a bit of distance between anybody except a 90 year-old lady or a 5 year-old kid at that time of night, with no witnesses around. I only became truly frightened once he returned after not trying our directions. For those of us who know Austin - we were on Speedway and 42nd...so getting to Duval was *very* simple from there. His returning after not trying seemed extremely suspicious to me. In fact, also retrospectively, it's odd that he didn't know where he was to begin with, unless he was from out of town. However, that doesn't mean that my reaction wasn't more severe because the guy was black - in fact, I suspect this did influence me. Though there's a possibility that I was skeptical of the way he was dressed more than his race (wasn't dressed quite like a thug out of a bad movie, but tending towards that direction). I was especially intrigued by Rocket River's candid admission that he'd secretly come to enjoy, albeit wishing the situation didn't exist, some people's fear of him late at night at TAMU. I wonder how often, not that they deserve it...a victim creates his attacker. That's often true with battered women when they create an extremely codependent relationship. Sure, the abuser is to blame...but the negative relationship is the fault of both parties. I wonder how true this is with race - that people fulfill the stereotypes created for them by others. I also wonder how I can overcome this nascent racism. Overcoming the unfamiliarity aspect is different. I have some black friends and acquaintances (though only one that's close to any degree) - but they're all much like me, tbh. Fellow law students and budding yuppies (and one guy who's a resident at a local hospital!). If what I'm really afraid of, deep inside, is a more removed type of person (maybe not even black)...it seems difficult to dispel the stereotyping. Other than playing sports, I just don't come into contact with people who aren't yuppies or future yuppies.
Elaborate on that. I'm not saying that you are wrong (at least not yet ). However, I would love to hear your rationale.
Well notice the only one in the conversation that mentioned race was the guy on the bike. basso didn't make a comment like... you black kids sure get lost easy..
Some folx will take FEAR if they cannot get Respect in time somefolx think the FEAR *is* respect Ever see the movie GRAND CANYON Danny Glover and the Thug talking The thugs says the gun gives him respect. . . he asks Danny If he would respect him with out the gun Danny tells him . . without the gun . .they not having the conversation the thug smiles and says .. THAT is why he has the gun I can image your young fellow have a laff about the white folx he scare to death the other nite with his friends I agree with you . . the racism in our country is so ingrained to an extent. it is still a US and THEM mentality I worry about it . . . .can we get over the hump or is it like The GREAT Scarface said "It's not cause I don't want to . . it's because I can't" Rocket River
Though I wonder if racism is even the right word. Perhaps it's cultural more than anything else. I don't think I have an unconscious "us versus them" mentality with the black people I know. And I don't think it's merely because familiarity breeds acceptance. I think it's because my unconscious reaction is based not on skin color, but cultural stereotypes. A black yuppie, perhaps, is no different to my subconscious than a white yuppie. I guess, in terms of skin color, the question becomes: "would i have been as nervous of a white kid dressed like a hood who acted the same way?" I'm really not sure. I'm not trying to prevaricate - I simply have no idea.
I have some similar experiences as Haven, being uncomfortable being approached by someone of a different race under odd circumstances, but for me its usually white people in rural areas. I once had a couple kids in Skoal hats and camo follow me around a grocery store in rural Louisiana. I had visions of being strung up or worse.
I'm sorry..but asking for directions at 2:30 in the morning is a little weird. Spooky for sure. Everyone is racist. It's sad even in diverse areas..but it's probably even worse in rural areas. There are some sad stories..hate crimes and stuff. I don't know..I would just ignore and don't react..just take it as a joke?
Classism perhaps I have gotten along with folx from all backgrounds very well in fact alot of things can be moved through In Fact . . .my time at Texas A&M was quite an experience A Time for alot of personal growth Reality smacking me around with a Dead Fish and a study in race relations One of the 1st people I use to hang out with was a Very Smart white guy from the backwaters of Arkansas We went to a department store We were being followed and was asked REPEATEDLY within like a 5 minute span . . . Can I help you He started to freak out a bit .. . It hit him that is was happening because I was black . . .he started to get irate ME. . . I was use to it .. . I just shrugged it off it REALLY bother the f*ck out of him . . . I told him . . hey . .that's the life I lead. . . To an extent alot of people have gotten that mentality tired of the constant fight. . that some battles are best left unfought. until . . .we quit fighting the battle at all anymore just settling for the current circumstances that is why it is good to see you . . do the self examination no matter what you conclude Rocket River
So IF you lost at 2:30 in the morning. . you wait until a decent hour to ask for directions? Rocket River
Maybe the reason that kid was out at 2:30 in the morning was because he DIDN'T have directions for where he was going.
Especially if you're riding a bike around and can't figure out how to get to Duval from Speedway. In retrospect, haven, you are right to have been afraid simply because his brain damage might have been contagious. I think the kid's reaction becomes even more amusing in the context of where he made the remark. Politically speaking, Hyde Park does its best to keep Austin Democratic, if not actually weird. Hyde Park residents aren't far enough left to vote for Leslie for Mayor, but they'll give him about as much consideration as they'd give GWB for President. And here this kid is taunting HP residents about perceived prejudice-- for shame. He should have been thanking them for not calling in a SWAT team on him, as they might have done had the locale been Steiner Ranch.
Black people didn't create racism Sir. Ask yourself who made it popular to hate other races in this country, and I don't think your answer will be Blacks or Asians.
Now if we really want a thought provoking discussion, we could ask why selected ethnic groups have racism directed towards them more often than others. Now THAT would be a fun discussion! Is some component of racism "earned"?
