all 8 comments

[–]seanadb 1 point2 points ago

Btw, this is the (currently) first comment after the story.

Destr0 09 November 2013 2:44pm I don't know. I'm black, 6+feet, broad shouldered well groomed, etc. and have the same experience wondering why the seat next to me on the bus is empty more often than not. Especially when someone will appear to be searching for anywhere else to sit or will even stand. But it ends there. If they would rather stand, that's their problem, not mine. It took me a long time to get here, but I can't spend my life worrying about other people's hangups. The bigger concern for me is the author's self loathing and negative view of himself. The while article is written like someone's depressing journal. If he thinks he's the only black person who hasn't felt like he identifies with "black culture", get in line. Stereotypes are just that, very broad brushes that generally don't fit the majority of the people they are put on. I've often found myself being one of the few blacks in my profession (architecture), at concerts of music I like or even cultural events (gallery openings or museums). I don't wallow in self-pity about. I like what I like and that's the end. I also like being black too. These things aren't mutually exclusive.

Good, thoughtful response. What are your thoughts on this? (genuinely asking, not being sarcastic)

[–]silthegr8[S] 0 points1 point ago

I can say that I agree with him. Many people go through this everyday, and, at first, I took the article as him attempting to shine a light on it, but I read it again and see it as him whining. As I said in my own experiences, it sucks that people have some sort of shitty pre-conceived notion about a group of people that they place upon every single one that they meet. Personally, I like the extra space. But, I do think that people need to chill and stop being so afraid and judgmental, negatively.

I posted this article to shine a light, that's all. Is it a shitty situation? Yes. Primarily, I'm just annoyed at how anyone that's slightly tanned or above must act in a specific way, or else they're, not only treated but, viewed in messed up ways. This effects everything, by the way.

I once dated this girl, it went well. Her mother and father, the whole family, loved because I turned her into a better person, their words paraphrased. But then they met met me and found out that I was partially black, and immediately started lobbying for her to get rid of me. She wouldn't do it. I ended up breaking up with her for other reasons. Anyways, this happens. That's life as a black dude.

[–]seanadb 0 points1 point ago

That is so surreal and messed up. Wish someone could take a cluebat to all those types of people you mention. It makes no sense! It smacks of something from the Twilight Zone, not reality and certainly not Canada. Sorry you have to endure that. :\

[–]silthegr8[S] 1 point2 points ago

Submission Statement

This is a phenomenal article because it gives everyone an insight into how blacks feel in society. A lot of people don't realize the hardships that go into being black. You're born with it, so you have no control over any of it. For instance, there are a lot of social policies, if you must, that one should, or must, follow. I'm a half black and half white (mother is african and father is italian) guy living in Canada.

Growing up, I have always been into opera but I was looked down on for this, and, sort of, forced into becoming a fan of rap/hip-hop. Unless you're willing to live a life of isolation, it makes living ridiculously difficult. I was molded at a young by my mother and father to become very knowledgeable in mathematics, and so growing up that's all my life, practically, revolved around. This didn't fly well because I was part black. However, I'm known as a black guy even though I'm just as much black as I am white. And to blacks, I'm known as a white guy. Then this new term of being "lightskin" came out, and I categorized into that by both. Its like you don't belong anywhere. Anyways, this isn't about that. Shit is always changing.

This article reflects what a particular race goes through every fucking day. It is annoying. A packed bus, people want to sit, but refuse to just because of one's pigment? That's ridiculous. About 4 days ago, I was at a McDonald's that was very much packed, it was around lunch time. I saw how long the line was, so I turned to this older lady beside me and asked her what she was ordering, and told her that to save time that I would have put it with my bill, and she would not have had to pay. She was skeptic, I understood, and so she declined. Then she kept trying to speak to me as if she wanted me to do but was scared. So we spoke for a bit, about 5 mins, and then she agreed. After the transaction, she told me that "not a lot of you are like this, you must be very tanned." As a person that isn't into scenes or making big deals out of things, I turned to her and said "no, I'm cut in the middle; I have a black mother and a white father, and yes, I was raised in europe but lived here (Canada) all my life". And then she proceeded to just bash blacks and teenagers. I'm a young adult and such but still.

I want this article to shine a light, which will allow others to realize how stupid it is to care about one's race. Take a seat. Say hello. Or just don't be an asshole. It isn't hard.

Edit: broke it up into paragraphs.

[–]seanadb -3 points-2 points ago

That is so strange. What city do you live in? I'm in Winnipeg, and grew up with people from all sorts of cultures/ethnic backgrounds. I've never seen anyone abused for racial reasons, so the idea that this situation happened to you is odd. It's possible it happens all around me and I'm oblivious to it, but those sort of comments are pretty hard to ignore (i.e. bashing of blacks/any ethnicity).

[–]psyyduck -3 points-2 points ago

I used to feel much the same way until I started meditating. The guy just needs to get help. I get what he's saying, it hurts a lot, but its like when the weather gets cold you find a jacket. The only wrong response is complaining and doing nothing.

It also helps to travel. Anything that gets you out of your old patterns.

[–][deleted] ago


    [–]pgc 1 point2 points ago

    "post-racial society" is such a joke

    [–]sakebomb69 -5 points-4 points ago

    Maybe people avoid sitting next to him because his broad shoulders hang over the next seat.