Message: | >>I hate that subject line, but I had to come up with something. I know that I am not a racist. But I want some feedback on something.
Umm, OK. But if you already know that you're not a racist, then what did you want feedback on?
>>Keep hearing about Phillips barbecue. Wanted very much to check it out. Despite living in Los Angeles for some years, I had never been down to the Crenshaw District before.
>>Well, the other day, me, Mr. 29 year-old white boy
Excuse my ignorance, but isn't "white boy" a derogatory term used by non-whites? And by you using it, aren't you implying some kind of imaginary antagonism from the people in Crenshaw?
>in his brand new BMW decides to head down there for some BBQ.
Though you didn't outright say it, by mentioning your "brand new BMW" you make yourself sound better (at least financially) than those people. You are making yourself out to be some vulnerable deer in a forest of bloodthirsty hunters, or something.
>>So here: I have never before been in a situation where everyone, on every street corner; walking into and out of every single store, shop and food place; driving next to me, in front of me, and towards me, is black.
>>Is the fact that I was unnerved by this proof that I am somehow a racist?
No. But . . .
>>Or is this what we call a bad neighborhood, simply because the people have a different skin color?
. . this statement does stink of racism.
>>I truly feel bad that I am somehow conflicted by this. But some people may argue that, because I was driving into the heart of the 92 riots, I am perhaps a bit justified in my trepidation.
Who were these "some people" you mentioned? Were they white, black, yellow, brown? Were they racists? In any case, I really doubt that black people are sitting around brooding over their next opportunity to pounce on white people.
>>BTW, the way it ended: I didn't find the joint (apparently it is difficult to see from the street), and I bolted eastward on Vernon. Halfway happily,
through more "bad" nabes.
That's too bad. You're missing out on some really good ques. You should give it another try.
>>Help me.
Are you a racist? That all depends on what your definition of a racist is. I'll tell you one thing though. The people in the Crenshaw District are schoolteachers, lawyers, doctors, firemen, moms, dads, children. If you have trepidation around these kinds of people, then something is wrong. |