pittmike wrote:
Racism is really an interesting and complex thing. I learn a lot here from black posters as well as the real world. I cannot completely understand it as I am not black and do not feel a direct result.
For me, from my perspective only, it seems that there is no binary identifying of the problem or a solution. Systemic versus personal racism is just one example of complexity. I don't see a do this and fix that simplicity.
My feeling is that there is a time component that gets missed. By that I mean when things are discussed and solutions debated they are usually thought of as do this now and see this result almost immediately. What I have seen though is a final answer (if there is one) will take a very long time. In my lifetime and limited view I see the 70's better than the 60's and the 80's better than the 70's and so on until today. It isn't linear but it progress seems to move forward. Understandably, I think the closer you get to a goal like no racism setbacks get viewed with anger and frustration.
I am not sure we will see some utopia like results before I die but today is certainly not 1956.
I can provide an example what it looks like from a personal standpoint. In September of this year I was in Houston for the Bears game. I attended a day party on the Sunday of the game at this spot called "Cle' ". I'd RSVP'd on line and paid $20 for entry. WHen I arrived the guy on the door immediately stopped me and said that I wasn't addressed appropriately. I had on linen shorts Versace T-Shirt and designer Sandals. He told me that I'd have to change my attire and immediately walked off. I stood at the entrance for clarification and he never came back. After about 10 minutes a chick finally came out and said that I was dressed OK but it was too early for General Admission. It was about 3 or 3:30 in the afternoon. She said that they only do bottle service at this particular time of the day. General Admission starts at 5:00. She told me to come back then. My guys from Chicago were also doing a day party and there day party happened to be a block over from CLe at Gage Lounge. I said fuck it I will go burn a little time at Gage and then come back over at 5. When I came back at 5 the same dude came back and said look man I told you that you have to change your attire. I stood and observed everyone (white) that they allowed to enter. There were about 20- 25. They all had on Jorts T-SHirt and sneakers. When i pointed it out to the dude he said "yeah but it is the way they are wearing it".
It was at this particular point that I became a little hostile. I told him either I get my little $20 bucks back or I'm going in. After a little back and forth he finally allowed me in. I walked in for about a minute to do a little "recon" work. There were about 150-200 people all white and I just walked back out. At that point it wasn't about me getting in as much as it was about the dude not letting me in.
The crazy thing about it was that the door man was black (token). He was the only black person at the spot and his primary job to deal with the "Negro" problem. I'm sure to ward off charges off racism. I told him not let them use him like that. He basically proceeded to tell me that he was the "do everything" for that particular club. Owner, Doorman, Valet, etc he did it all. I said but you are working the door how could you be the owner. I just walked off after that. I didn't want to come in after all the bullshit but I wasn't going to let him deny me the opportunity. It was a matter of principle especially after I'd already paid.
_________________
The Hawk wrote:
This is going to reach a head pretty soon.
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