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popfiend
Aug. 14th, 2008 01:33 pmI got called a racist the other day. It wasn't over anything particular, and it wasn't really even said it anger. It was more phrased as a question, but it felt like a slap in the face. Even phrased as a question, it had vibes that were very strong with accusation. I'm not even sure what prompted it.
"Are you racist?"
How is one supposed to respond to that? A flat "No" can make you seem like you're either in denial, or denying it out of hand. If you take a second to think about it, well, you just look silly. "I don't think so" comes off fairly well, actually, and might get you a smile in the right company, but in the wrong company it might get you ostracized. The answer "Why do you think that" was probably the best to come up with on the spot because it allowed me to answer to exactly where the problem was, as opposed to coming off as dismissive.
Turns out, she thought I was talking to her husband and not her because she's black and he's white. In reality, I talked to him because he seemed to like dogs, where she obviously wasn't interested. (It had to do with one of the strays I found.) I explained it, and she admitted that she really didn't like dogs.
I was thinking about it today, and for a white man, the accusation of racism is very difficult to deny. Things like "I have black friends" get laughed at, saying "I never use racial epithets*" and even my very defensible position of "My brothers and sisters were adopted from Korea, so no" gets derision.
How is someone supposed to defend themselves against accusations of racism? White, black, yellow, red, brown, etc; if you're accused of what is essential a thought crime (that can obviously become an outward one, but that's not what I'm talking about here), how can you defend yourself against it? What would you do, if you were approached as I was when I worked at Hollywood Video by your manager, who is of the same race as you, and he asked, "You're racist, aren't you? You can be honest with me, I just need to know.**"
How would you respond to that? You can be honest with me, I just want to know.
*Link courtesy ofpopfiend.
**Turns out, he was a member of the Klan, and was looking to recruit, but that's not the point here, I don't think. I left that job because of his affiliations and actions.
"Are you racist?"
How is one supposed to respond to that? A flat "No" can make you seem like you're either in denial, or denying it out of hand. If you take a second to think about it, well, you just look silly. "I don't think so" comes off fairly well, actually, and might get you a smile in the right company, but in the wrong company it might get you ostracized. The answer "Why do you think that" was probably the best to come up with on the spot because it allowed me to answer to exactly where the problem was, as opposed to coming off as dismissive.
Turns out, she thought I was talking to her husband and not her because she's black and he's white. In reality, I talked to him because he seemed to like dogs, where she obviously wasn't interested. (It had to do with one of the strays I found.) I explained it, and she admitted that she really didn't like dogs.
I was thinking about it today, and for a white man, the accusation of racism is very difficult to deny. Things like "I have black friends" get laughed at, saying "I never use racial epithets*" and even my very defensible position of "My brothers and sisters were adopted from Korea, so no" gets derision.
How is someone supposed to defend themselves against accusations of racism? White, black, yellow, red, brown, etc; if you're accused of what is essential a thought crime (that can obviously become an outward one, but that's not what I'm talking about here), how can you defend yourself against it? What would you do, if you were approached as I was when I worked at Hollywood Video by your manager, who is of the same race as you, and he asked, "You're racist, aren't you? You can be honest with me, I just need to know.**"
How would you respond to that? You can be honest with me, I just want to know.
*Link courtesy of
popfiend.**Turns out, he was a member of the Klan, and was looking to recruit, but that's not the point here, I don't think. I left that job because of his affiliations and actions.
Bacon Spinach Tomato sandwiches for lunch coming up in about a half hour. I wonder if my wife is going to remember that I asked her to stop by the store to pick up the tomato portion of lunch before coming home? It's only a third of the name, not too important, so if she forgets I'll have to figure something else out.
I wonder when my own tomato fruits are finally going to go red so I don't have to worry about having my wife pick them up from the store on her way home for lunch.
On that note, I wonder how I know when my Jalapeno peppers are completely ripe? The card that came with them said they mature to red, but I don't think I've ever seen a red jalapeno. Is that just me?
Well, time to go start cooking some bacon. Hopefully it turns out nice and crispy, perfectly tasty, and goes well on bread with spinach and tomato.
I'm wondering if anyone's going to pick up on the fact that I'm just rambling.
I wonder when my own tomato fruits are finally going to go red so I don't have to worry about having my wife pick them up from the store on her way home for lunch.
On that note, I wonder how I know when my Jalapeno peppers are completely ripe? The card that came with them said they mature to red, but I don't think I've ever seen a red jalapeno. Is that just me?
Well, time to go start cooking some bacon. Hopefully it turns out nice and crispy, perfectly tasty, and goes well on bread with spinach and tomato.
I'm wondering if anyone's going to pick up on the fact that I'm just rambling.
