An old acquaintance that I haven't seen in years visited me tonight. We go way back. In grade school, we'd hang out on a daily basis. Ah, the memories. I remember how he never let me forget that I was a deformed anomaly of human existence because I didn't look like him. Without him, how could I ever remember to curse my ethnicity and wish I was more like him. As high school progressed, and I grew taller, stronger, and wiser, he hung around less and less. Throughout college and into my now professional adult life, I'd see him, usually on television. Tonight, I saw him again - first hand. It's been a long, long time. He appeared in the form of an elderly couple that hollered a request for me to go back where I came from. It's the year 2003. The time when cowards hiding behind a satin mask riding through towns striking fear into the hearts of colored people are long gone. A world without racism is as utopian as a world without violence. Total acceptance of your fellow man regardless of color. A world where we are not judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our character? It's ironic that I just read King's speech since it was recently that 40 year anniversary. I feel so defensive right now. Everyone who steps into my now extended personal space is indirectly challenging my worthiness to be alive on God's Earth. Be it driving too closely, making eye contact, or simply being a different skin color. I feel sick to my stomach that I let this ignorant scum affect me as much as it has. My blood boiled, racing through my veins and into my clenched fists. I could have ended their lives in an instant. Standing upon their corpses with their still warm hearts in my bloody hands would have satisfied me like no woman could in that instance. This incident brings back so many memories and feelings. Violence was my only means to combat racism in my younger days. I'm twenty-seven years old and I feel like I'm seventeen all over again. Am I not supposed to pursue that beautiful girl for fear that she too is racist? Am I not supposed to enjoy being somewhere for fear that racism might rear it's ugly head? I've failed myself that I felt an urge to strike them. I failed myself that I allowed myself to lose my dignity by partaking in an expletive filled exchange. Immediately after the incident, I was the only minority in the entire world and everyone around hated minorities. I was ready to fight everyone. Even the man who smiles and says 'Good morning' to me everyday when I pass by him. Even the lady who always asks me how the Astros are doing everyday. Argh. So much I want to do and say to the entire world about racism right now. I want to knock on every door in every neighborhood and show them the error of judging a man by the color of his skin. I'm twenty-seven years old and I feel like I'm seventeen all over again. I've calmed down a lot since the incident. I realize and appreciate the fact that not everyone is racist. I don't know if I'd go as far as saying most people aren't racist. How do you know these days? You don't. Have any of you recently experienced the sting of racism? How did you deal with it?
That sucks, dude. Sorry you had to go through that. There are just some dumb, ignorant bastards in the world.
coma, Your reaction was understandable. Cannot say I wouldn't feel the same. But, as you mentioned, why let some losers effect you? Anyway, their 'request' confounds me. You 'came from' the same place as they did....(as did we all)... ...but you may be going to different places when it's all over.
Coma, You are a respected member of the community....screw them & their ignorance. This is one white man who has your back. DD
It is truly sad that 40 years after King's speech that ANYONE in this country should have to suffer in any way due to the color of their skin. I would like to say that I believe it is getting better but I really don't think so. Some of the racism in our system is so dug in that it might take a century to weed it all out. I do reserve hope that one day we can correct the iniquities and I pray that I will see that day before I shuffle off this mortal coil. BTW, I wish I could have been there with you because this is one white hippie that would come unglued on someone for pulling that crap. It really takes a lot to piss me off, but that would do it.
johnheath, I do have a grip. If I didn't, I'd be in jail right now. It's easy to say that it's only words. That's part of the reason I feel like I failed myself. I should've been the better person and let it slide off of my shoulder. But I didn't. I've dealt with racism for a good part of my life and I have many scars from it. I thought that I could handle it with the professionalism that I handle most of my affairs with. When the day comes when I can be uber cool, such as you, and don't have to wait for 20/20 with hindsight, maybe I can realize the obvious during, not after the incident.
Tell them to go back where they came from. This continent is originally inhabited by colored skin people. That should feel good.
First of all, violence is never a reasonable option, so I don't know why you would post this response. Their racism is irrelevant, but you give them power over you when you react emotionally. You and I both know that immigrants made this country number one, so don't lets other people's ignorance ruin your day.
Coma, do yourself a favor and ignore johnheath. He likes instigate long pointless and logic free arguments that irritate people apparently because he lacks a better option on nights and weekends then to bait people in the D&D forum. Occasionaly, if you illustrate the folly of his ways, he'll lose his cool and start sputtering insults, which he will go back and edit out of his post, but really there's no point in going down that road.
Sam, I feel sorry for you. Your negativity and cynicism must be hard to deal with on a daily basis. Coma, don't let Sam derail this message. The vast majority of political conservatives in 2003 will defend YOU in these types of situations. Times have changed.
Life is very rich. Unfortunately I had to learn that after a dark episode in my life. Granted nothing to do with racism. But I don't think the ill judgement of cowardice should prompt you to anticipate anything lower than what you know you deserve. SRV once said during a live CD I have, sitting around here somewhere, "I don't care what color you are... I may be white but I'm not stupid." I forget what follows that but I think most of us white folk might surprise you. But I don't think you should feel like you are alone. As you can see most responses here empathize with you during this terrible episode. I hope you never have to deal with this kind of mentality again.
Coma, those trailer park rednecks (and I say that with the greatest of respect) are the ones with the problems. Not you.
I do not condone prejudice in any way (including racism). however, I want to make a point to the whole world There have always been, and will always be, people who will hate you because you are black. .... or fat .... or gay, jewish, white, female, or any other quality you may have. get over it. grow up. brush it off. We all get **** from someone else for some reason in our lives. Coma, you gotta live your own life, be secure in your own life and just laugh off the fools who hate you. Life's too short to be getting so upset over something so small. -- droxford
I don't want to derail the thread coma, but this is sorta related -- anyone have racist relatives? What do you do about it? I could just ignore it before, but having a kid now makes it a little different. I don't know if I want him exposed to it (basically words is what I'm talking about here...which may not come out all that often). Should I do anything? Or just let it happen and be 'part of life'? I know my grandfather used to utter a racial slur every now and then, and I can't say that it affected me really. Really just looking for ideas here. The relative in question is pretty old...my plan now is to try to tell my kid that that's the way some old people are, and tell the relative to please not talk that way around him (maybe not as nicely as that). Any other ideas?
