Yes, I realized I made people uncomfortable because I described the cashier yesterday as a large, gay and obnoxious black man. There was no ill-meaning behind it, he was a large man- black and gay. I had a friend from years ago who was also large, gay and black- but he was a nice guy and it wasn't a thing. We joked around a lot and everything was fine. But for some reason, using the same verbiage was taken as offense because I added the word obnoxious in it. And today someone came to our house and when my family asked what happened I said a really nice muslim man was asking if he could park his car infront of our house(he was attending a neighbors party). My Mom asked why I had to mention muslim, why can't he just be a person?
I asked her... When you describe a cat- do you say. Cat. Is it a brown cat? Is it a black cat? How do you describe a dalmatian for that matter?
I realize I can't watch the news because it is so hyper focused on race and even social media is constantly perpetuating racial divide. I know there are fake accounts and nefarious characters out there with the intention to destroy a platform or political opposition. Currently one political affiliation has used the FBI to attack another and set up innocent americans as domestic terrorist. They also have people online who make you think they are on the side of exposing truth but then continue on with racist and derogatory behavior and an end goal is simply radicalization/polarization. Those that make it about race rarely question the system, the use of identity as warfare or a lack of education. We don't question where we've placed our priorities as a society, whether or not someone had a good or challenging upbringing or whether Life has yet to humble them. I really don't want to focus on peoples race or religion and it's sad to see so much energy spent attacking others and the sheer chaos identity politics has caused on the general populous. Most people wish others the right to happiness and a quality life. If you only watched the news or lived online, you wouldn't believe it (they make you think politicians are all evil or racist and those who oppose certain agendas are bigoted and in the way). You'd walk around interacting with the world with a chip on your shoulder taught to fear and hate.
Enough is enough. And there's nothing wrong with making jokes and calling people white or black, brown or yellow... Muslim or jewish. Sheesh.
It always comes back to Love or Hate. And the news and social media seems to flame the latter. If you have white pride, black pride, mexican pride, national pride, global pride- Whatever, I don't care as long as you are choosing love and respect for all life. I'm not demanding kindness, I'm just saying don't be a dick. I realize more and more how disheartening it is to see grown people acting so overtly aggressive and stupid. It's one thing if it's a kid, which has happened to me recently... Last year black friday a kid flashed his gun and told me he'd shoot me. People walk around the city with such a hard look in this animal mind like they're ready to jump you for making eye contact and for what? It's just dumb. But I don't want to be mad at the world and I don't want to blame others with a racist attitude. It's not looking deep enough. And I choose to foster love and kindness.
I will try to give others the benefit of the doubt, but defend my self and my family to the best of my ability. A clear example of how ludicrous this is, is the recent politicization of daniel penny- who took action when he felt his life and the life of others was threatened. They tried to say he was a racist, instead of exposing him as some racist the world is waking up to the depth of corruption plaguing our justice systems, our news media etc. etc.
https://www.lawofficer.com/daniel-penny-says-he-would-take-action-again-if-there-was-a-threat-and-danger-in-the-present/ Or like the case of the woman Sarah Comrie who paid for a bike and had it stolen from her- only to have the media say she was racist and attacking the black kids who bullied her and stole her bike.
https://thepostmillennial.com/pregnant-nurse-falsely-accused-of-stealing-black-mans-citi-bike-now-in-hiding-due-to-death-threats-plans-to-sueAfter a while you see how intentional a lot of these fanning of the racial flames really are...
It's so hyper focused you can't say, a gay black guy without offending someone- despite your description being factual or accurate.
