ariolanine said:
I think you do give a fuck and you do expect white people to understand that blacks have experienced racism. I prefaced my statement because I wanted you to know that I've lived around black people all my life. I've never once heard of white on black racism. Not even ONE time. But, I have been a victim of black on white racism and so has virtually everyone I grew up with. Sure white people tell jokes and say shit amongst themselves, but absolutely NEVER to a black person's face. Admittedly this is mostly because white people are afraid to get their asses kicked. I'm not trying to insult you man, but from my standpoint I can't even begin to imagine something like you've described. Was this in some hick town or something??
Let me touch on a few things. First of all you not Black. You will not EVER know what it feels like to be Black eventhough you "grew up" around some black folks.
You wrote, "I've lived around black people all my life. I've never once heard of white on black racism." Do you think we go around telling white folks in the hood about racism? Its a given, aint nuthin new about it. And just because the few black folks you know didn't say anything to you doesn't mean it they weren't victims of racism by whites. Nor does it mean that what I've experienced is unbelievable. This is our reality not yours.
You said that you were victimized by Blacks. I believe that. Its not hard to believe and I wouldn't insult you by suggesting that you are lying about what you've experience.
Sure white people say jokes about Blacks in front of us and behind our backs. I haven't experienced Blacks getting a kick out of joking about whites, shit whats there to joke about they appear to have the upper hand in our society (govt., Fortune 500 companies, etc) Joking about white folks not being able to dance is old and tired. But I'm sure there are a few more Chris Rocks out there looking for a laugh to two.
You wrote, I'm not trying to insult you man, but from my standpoint I can't even begin to imagine something like you've described. Was this in some hick town or something??"
To answer your question, this happened in Walnut Creek, CA, a normal city, very good property values, good schools, predominately white, and a handful of Black folks working in the area. The person who said that to me was a woman on each occassion. Contrary to what you think of us Blacks folks, some of us can exercise self restraint in the workplace and not whoop somebody's ass for blatant insults. It was said because they ran the place and they could get away with it. I kinda think they wanted me to do something violent as an excuse to fire me. I ended up leaving on my own terms.
Other business people in the building found out about how I was treated and spoke to my employer about it, shunned them, and ended up mentoring me during my employment.
It just taught me something I already knew. EVERY race is comprised of good & bad, so I try not to generalize & treat everyone fairly until proven otherwise.