Lately I have been pondering the issue of racism, specifically my inherent racism.
I am bothered by my increasing frustration with people. Working crowd control at a night club has given me all kinds of exposure to the human race. A person is smart, but people are dumb. But what I am finding that the shows tend to be racially homogenious. Hip-hop and dance parties are predominantly black, while the rock and punk shows are mostly white, with the emo shows being mainly middle class white kids. (Been a lot of Emo shows)
The Hip-hop shows are the hardest for me. I find the patrons are combative, argumentative, and either don't listen or don't comprehend the concept of security. The problem being that when I get frustrated ignorant racist comments race through my mind. THis doesn't happen with the 'white shows' I find. I still get pissed off, but I don't focus on their race to vent my anger.
I'm not one of those people who claim to 'know' black people, or have a bunch of black guys as friends, and thus can't be a bigot. I realize things arn't that simple. (I do have friends of other races, and it isn't an issue when we're in whitey-town).
Now, I did grow up in a racist enviroment. One part British intolerance, and another part Canadian segregation-ism. (ie: Those people. Their neighbourhood. That part of town) so I realize it gets ingrained in the wood so to speak. But I have fought it for years. Pointing out racist behaviour when it is happening and generally trying to be fair with everyone (if I'm gonna hate you, it will be because of who you are, not what you are.).
Maybe it is because I'm new to US urban life and the seperation between the ethnic groups really polarizes these shows and I'm just dealing with that culture shock. Maybe it is because I am a bigot and the surfacing of these tendancies is making me uncomfortable.
Got lost in North East Buffalo yesterday for two hours trying to find this hidden post office.
The Ghetto.
Ever since then I have been preoccupied by these thoughts.
PS: Malice goes to the vet today. I think he has a parasite. Damn mouse habit of his.
I am bothered by my increasing frustration with people. Working crowd control at a night club has given me all kinds of exposure to the human race. A person is smart, but people are dumb. But what I am finding that the shows tend to be racially homogenious. Hip-hop and dance parties are predominantly black, while the rock and punk shows are mostly white, with the emo shows being mainly middle class white kids. (Been a lot of Emo shows)
The Hip-hop shows are the hardest for me. I find the patrons are combative, argumentative, and either don't listen or don't comprehend the concept of security. The problem being that when I get frustrated ignorant racist comments race through my mind. THis doesn't happen with the 'white shows' I find. I still get pissed off, but I don't focus on their race to vent my anger.
I'm not one of those people who claim to 'know' black people, or have a bunch of black guys as friends, and thus can't be a bigot. I realize things arn't that simple. (I do have friends of other races, and it isn't an issue when we're in whitey-town).
Now, I did grow up in a racist enviroment. One part British intolerance, and another part Canadian segregation-ism. (ie: Those people. Their neighbourhood. That part of town) so I realize it gets ingrained in the wood so to speak. But I have fought it for years. Pointing out racist behaviour when it is happening and generally trying to be fair with everyone (if I'm gonna hate you, it will be because of who you are, not what you are.).
Maybe it is because I'm new to US urban life and the seperation between the ethnic groups really polarizes these shows and I'm just dealing with that culture shock. Maybe it is because I am a bigot and the surfacing of these tendancies is making me uncomfortable.
Got lost in North East Buffalo yesterday for two hours trying to find this hidden post office.
The Ghetto.
Ever since then I have been preoccupied by these thoughts.
PS: Malice goes to the vet today. I think he has a parasite. Damn mouse habit of his.
Mazel tov is the Hebrew for congratulations, and Molotov (cocktail) is the hand-held firebomb.
So says the anal retentive newlywed.