There Are Black People Here?

from JoeUser Forums

Last night while I was having dinner at Applebee's a black guy came in and sat at the bar. Since this WI town is one of the whitest places I've ever been, with very little in the way of diversity, I assumed he was from somewhere else just as myself.

I had him rightly pegged as a truck driver, but he surprised me when he said he was a local driver and lives here. I said "You live here? Are you like the only black dude in town?"

He laughed at that and said that no, there are a few here. He knew I was joking around but a couple sitting at one end of the bar appeared to be shocked that I would say such a thing. That made the thing even more funny for myself and the other guy.

We laughed and joked around a bit, talked about trucking a bit, and shook hands when it was time for him to head home. Really nice guy.

The reaction of those other people got me to thinking though. Who's the bigot? The guys who can make good natured jokes about race while having a beer together, or the people who are so afraid of the subject that a simple joke shocks them?

I travel all over the country for a living and meet all sorts of people of every race, creed, color, religion, and national origin. Some places are predominantly one general group of people while others, like where I live in FL, are a real mix of everyone.

Some people I like, some people I don't, but it's based upon that individual person and not some preconceived notions about them. I think that's the way it should be. Getting to know people from all sorts of backgrounds and such is one of the most fun parts of my job.

blogging
3,538 views 19 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

I assume the people that were shocked have watched one too many rap videos and thought the guy might have "popped a cap in your ass" as they say. :)

~Zoo

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Perhaps no one is. Definitely not you and the other truck driver. But perhaps the other couple was just too sensitized to the idiocy of PC. In other words, you CANT notice the color of a person. Which is sheer stupidity, but then what else is new about PC?
Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top

Political correctness is incorrect.

The real problem is if you actually offend someone.

Someone not offended just because of their political correctness.

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

<----- Black dude

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
<----- Black dude
End of quote


Gasp! ;)

~Zoo



Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
I assume the people that were shocked have watched one too many rap videos and thought the guy might have "popped a cap in your ass" as they say.
~Zoo
End of quote


Yeah, maybe so. I thought their reaction was hilarious, and so did the other guy.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Perhaps no one is. Definitely not you and the other truck driver. But perhaps the other couple was just too sensitized to the idiocy of PC. In other words, you CANT notice the color of a person. Which is sheer stupidity, but then what else is new about PC?
End of quote


Yeah, it's so stupid to try and pretend that everyone is exactly the same. It's our differences that make us unique.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
The real problem is if you actually offend someone.
End of quote


Well sure, but it also depends on exactly why that person is offended. If they're offended because of some stupid PC idea then fuck em. If they're offended because you say or do something that is actually offensive that's another story. My rule is that no offense may be taken where none was intended. I have a Google group and that is actually rule #2. Rule #1 is that PC will not be tolerated.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
<----- Black dude
End of quote


:LOL:
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Maybe they had never seen a black dude before and were amazed to discover that that guy was one! :D
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
Yeppers! Oh, how I agree with you! One of the greatest joy's I've found in the Navy is the diversity of people I get to work, interact and socialize with.
End of quote


Yep, former squid myself. To be honest I had a much less open minded opinion back then, but have learned a little something here and there as I have aged.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
Maybe they had never seen a black dude before and were amazed to discover that that guy was one!
End of quote


:LOL:
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
He came back in tonight while I was accidentally there having dinner. As soon as he saw me he came over, shook my hand, and sat down next to me. We shot the shit for a while before he scooted off to meet his "home girl" for a night on the town.

I stand by my first assessment of him. Nice guy. He's a lot of fun to talk with.
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top

Some people I like, some people I don't, but it's based upon that individual person and not some preconceived notions about them. I think that's the way it should be.
End of quote

I knew there was a reason I liked you. :)

Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
Some people I like, some people I don't, but it's based upon that individual person and not some preconceived notions about them. I think that's the way it should be.
I knew there was a reason I liked you.
End of quote


Maybe, but that's probably not it :LOL:
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top

I'm a black guy.  How dare you notice someones race!  And then you spoke about it!?! (dripping with sarcasm).

If we are even to get past some of the racial tension in this country, we need to be able to talk freely about race.

I used to get responses like that when I was in college in sticks.  I remember addressing a room full of about 300 students one night.  People were acting weird while I was talking.  Someone said it was because I said the word black and white several times. It wasn't common talk.

Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
Maybe, but that's probably not it
End of quote


True enough... I'll let you know when I find it :LOL:
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
If we are even to get past some of the racial tension in this country, we need to be able to talk freely about race.
End of quote


Yep, folks of all colors can be way too uptight.
Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top
True enough... I'll let you know when I find it
End of quote


:LOL: