I'm walking up the street to the car garage from work. As I'm walking up the street, there's a lady who's walking in the same direction as me. The closer we get, I notice that she slightly grips her handbag a little tighter, and she looks a little afraid. My thought? "What the heck is up with her?" Then it dawns on me. "Black guy walking up the street." Ok. I'm 5'5, weigh barely 140lbs soak and wet. Intimidating? I look like urkel! She looked to be about 180lbs. I'm the one that should be worried! "Hey little guy, you look like devil's food cake!" Any thoughts?
2006-08-02 05:14:06 · 33 answers · asked by Kooties 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Sadly she is living in a world of stereo types and she needs to realize that not all blacks or whites or any race in this world is out too mug her. There are criminals in every race on this planet. Maybe the next time somebody does this when you walk by just smile and say hello i hope you are having a nice day. Maybe by doing that small act of kindness we as human beings can help stop racism.
2006-08-02 05:21:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unless you've actually had this happen to you, no one can possibly understand how crap it feels.
I too have experienced this and I'm a woman (small build, 5'2"). It's similar to when you go in a shop and the store detectives or assistants instantly start following you. What is so annoying is that I probably earn more than all the assistants/security put together and my day job is working in Probation, so I'm the last place they will find a thief.
I try not to get angry as everyone is entitled to their opinion and it must be horrid being so highly strung that you think that most blacks are gonna mug you for your £2.50! Poor sod.
So to sum up how I'd feel - rubbish at first and then pity for them being fools.
2006-08-02 05:30:18 · answer #2 · answered by Bajan Deane 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably the same way I do, a white college boy, when I'm walking back from a house party at 3:00 AM and girls walking back by themselves will cross the street, walk past me on the other side, and then re-cross the street when they're past me.
It feels kinda shitty, but then you realize that they're not trying to insult you, they're just trying to protect themselves. More than likely she hasn't had that much experience with black people, and unfortunately humans are normally scared of what they don't understand, especially when it comes to other groups of people. I'm not saying it's right, but if you get into her head, you can understand why she acted that way.
2006-08-02 05:28:19 · answer #3 · answered by Dave N 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would be pissed too. You should of just put your head in the air and not even given her another look. She is obviously a prejudice person and stereotyping you. When people are ignorant towards my race, I ignore them and do not give them the time or day, I got bigger fish to fry and if I worried what everyone was thinking or if they were looking at me I would be one stressed out chick! So just chill and go with the flow, rise above it, more power to you!
2006-08-02 05:21:15 · answer #4 · answered by geewhizbaby2008 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry, you were the victim of "profiling". Just because of the color of your skin you fit the profile of a potential mugger.
As long as so many African Americans steal things, I don't think anything can be done about that. I do sympathize with the good folks who have to endure being subjected to frequent suspicion.
2006-08-02 06:09:13 · answer #5 · answered by Wascal Wabbit 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's sad, but a lot of people do have that reaction to people of a different ethnicity.
But maybe this will make you feel better: My friend and I, (both of us "average" looking white women over 40) were at a Christmas bazaar that was very crowded. As we tried to squeeze past a couple of elderly women, we overheard one of them whisper to the other " Watch your purse, Marge!" We still laugh about it, and whenever we find ourselves in a crowd, we tell each other "Watch your purse, Marge".
2006-08-02 05:25:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry people can be so ignorant, but personally me I get worried when any guy walks by and I am by myself, no matter the color. Sometimes I do probily offfend people, but no matter the color of guy or size, they could have a gun or who knows what. Maybe she felt the same way, if it was cause of your color that person was just ignorant and don't even pay attention.Hope my opinon helps.
2006-08-02 05:22:40 · answer #7 · answered by Star 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just let it go. There are all kinds of people in the world. This lady is frightened possibly because of a past experience. Just smile and look friendly when this happens.
2006-08-02 05:27:08 · answer #8 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL I'd have just walked up to her and asked why she was afraid or walked on the other side of the street depends on weather i was feeling nice that day lol
2006-08-02 05:20:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to remember people are fools and have senseless thoughtless fears. Hold your head high and remember she's an idiot and her idiocy doesn't have to reflect on you unless you let it. You can dismiss such things if you choose by keeping the thought that you are so above it that you can laugh at such fools. You'll never change people like her, so learn to dismiss them, that's my thought.
2006-08-02 05:21:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋