This is a serious racial question. Only fair answers please.?

Question

2 years ago, I started a new job in a predominantly black area. I go out to lunch about 3 days a week. When I am trying to get into traffic from the shopping center and traffic is backed up because of the light, not ONE single black person has let me into traffic in over two year. 3-4 whites have, but no blacks. Also, when I let people into traffic, not ONE single black person has acknowledged me with a wave for a thank you, but ALL whites have. Why is this? I have never been racist before, and this is almost MAKING me racist, because in this case, it IS the racial factor that matters. It's almost become a game that I play. What do you think the reason might be? And don't blame me, because I don't change facial features or anything like that.

Answer 1

Friend,
I think that the sad fact is you are in a part of town, that is dominated by rude, boorish oafs. No matter what their skin color is. Also, Black people are just as racist as Latinos, or Asians, or Anglos. No group of humans unfortunately, holds a monopoly on stupidity.
One small bit of advice. Never, ever, allow anyone to cause you to act in an unworthy manner. Never , ever lower yourself to the level of a fool, no matter what color, social standing, economic status. Fools come in all colors.
Yoli

Answer 2

Black people sure can be just as racist. I went to a school where there were hardly any white people. Especially my jr. high, and high school. I always think I went through what black peope went through, and still go through. I had no friends, they used to call me white honkey cracker. Blonde *****.. whatever they could think of. It was really bad. They pushed me, threatened me, followed me home from school. It was scary, and I was scared so that made them want to mess with me more.
All I can say is it taught me a lesson. I have never had black friends because they didn't like me. I do know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of racism. It isnt' fun. I don't think people should be racist against anyone.
Anyway I think that the racism is equal, and the disrespect is the same from both sides. Yes when I visit my mother, I still get this treatment, and it pisses me off because I don't do that to them.
A lot of black people are racist. So are white and every other race. I still think that white people are the worst though. I am white, but I look at some white people, and think how rude, and conceded they are. I get mad at my own race more than any other.. Our president is a great example.

Answer 3

According to your question, in 2 years, a total of only 3-4 people have let you into traffic. That means that hundreds, if not thousands of blacks, whites, puerto ricans, asians...etc have not let you in. The few people who have let you in is such a small sample, that you don't have enough of a basis to prove that race played a role yet. (I'm not saying that it is, or isn't - just that scientifically, 4 out of 1000 people cannot accurately prove the trend).

Clearly, you are in a situation where it isn't customary for people to take the time to share the roads with others. You're doing a wonderful thing by performing your random act of kindness, but clearly in this case you are in the minority... sometimes people get suspicious of people doing something nice for them when they aren't used to kindnesses being shown to them.

Is there a lot of racial tension in the community you live in? Is the area economically disadvantaged? Perhaps these extenuating circumstances could play a role?

Also, you never stated how often you have let people in. It could be a numbers thing here as well.

All I know for sure however, is that where I live it is way more common for people of all types to let eachother in traffic. I live in one of the most multicultural cities in the world (Toronto) and in a typical week it's more common that any driver would be let into traffic 3-4 times, as opposed to the two years it has taken for you. And it is rare for someone to not acknowledge.

My favorite quote is from Gandhi, it's: "be first the light you wish to see in the world". Sometimes, it gets lonely and frustrating doing the right thing, but you have to believe in your power to change things. Positivity is contagious - it may take a long time, but it does eventually catch on. Don't give up, otherwise you end up becoming part of the problem.

Good luck, and take care.

Answer 4

I think the person talking about the culture is right, you need to remember you said you are working in a perdominantly black area, these people who don't let you in are probably from that area, many people act this way when they are in the area they live in or around, and the white people who've let you in, were probably not from around the area. Same with you letting the people in, the "natives" expect it, and the "non-native" apriciate it. I think you've just had the bad luck of running into rude locals, not racists.

Answer 5

I can tell that you work in a big city and live in a white suburb. Those white people that waved at you are from upper class suburbia. I can also tell that this is the first time you were in a neighborhood that is not white upper middle class.
As the years go on you will see it is a difference between the big city and its suburbs. It is not a black vs white thing.
If you doubt me Just live in the city for a few years and you will start to become the same as those people you complain against.

Answer 6

Many blacks have had a hard road, whether legitimate or "imagined." They may, therefore, reluctant to let you into traffic, it, perhaps, may be there way of "getting even," no matter how much it lacks maturity and/or good manners. Don't spend too much time thinking about it. Some people need a way to justify, what they perceive as, injustice in their lives. or,lives of friends, framily, relatives, etc.

It's not worth the thought, move on!

Answer 7

People are going to come on here and yell that you're a racist and try to convince you that your issue has nothing to do with the milky white complexion that you were blessed with. But these same people are people who have never walked the walk. They are sitting in middle America somewhere in their white neighborhoods, never dealing with other races. If they walked the walk, they would see that there is plenty of outright hatred toward whites from blacks. Yes, it happens. Not all, but some blacks. I think you are coming to the right conclusion here. And of course, if a black person came on here and said the same thing was happening in a white neighborhood, everyone would agree and would blame the white people and declare them racists. Turnabout is not only fair play, but it is justified because this is the reality of America. Many blacks really hate whites... despise them, even though they don't know them... and try to blame them for all their ills. Keep up the struggle, my man. It's time for folks like you and me to have our own mantra.

Answer 8

FX channel aired a Reality, News/Documentary TV show called "BLACK, WHITE".

*"Two families trade places to get a taste of how the other one lives. The catch? Through the use of extensive makeup, the African-American Sparks family from Atlanta will appear white, and the Caucasian Wurgel family from Santa Monica, California will look black. "

It really explores some of the topics you are discussing and was a real eye opener.
If you get your hands on a copy I think you would enjoy.

*TV.COM

Answer 9

Hey, you're in their neighbourhood, as they see it, and you don't belong there.
I have had many a conversation with relatives of mine, living in those predominantly black neighbourhoods. They have told me that the attitude is white people can drive through them, but don't dare stop.
I think it's bull$hit, and thank God I live in Canada, where anyone can go where they damn well please.
And for the record, my cousins go to an all black college in America. They got scholarships so it was an easy decision. But they can't wait to come home!

Answer 10

It's probably most likely a racial thing. Most blacks have a chip on their shoulder, from slavery. They never think for once that it happened centuries ago, not in recent history, and young whites are NOT to blame for what our ancestors did. I regret my ancestors for enslaving black people. I can't change history, though. It's time to move on!