Racism SUCKS!

[katerina]

Hi I took this from my blog on myspace so keep in mind it was intended for people who i know and live around, but either way i thought it'd be a good post for PEOPLE SUCK! :

It was time for a delicious burrito at the Taqueria. The sun was shinning , the sky was filled with puffy white clouds....It was perfect. After arriving, I took my seat with bun at our usual inconspicuous spot behind the fake tree. I noticed some man acting erratically; he seemed to be having an argument with his food. I just laughed quietly at the thought of someone talking to their food (and it possibly talking back: see taco bell radio commercials) and continued my lunch with Bun.

Halfway through my huge burrito, he kept getting louder: "NO COMPRENDE! NO COMPRENDE!" he shouted mockingly. I knew something was up at that moment and the atmosphere grew darker. I could tell by the ashamed look on his wife's face and her movements saying "stop it!" to the man. But his wife couldn't tame this beast who needed more garlic on his food. Then he started to throw in spanish swear words which was quite offensive coming from a white man... I noticed he was directing them towards the restaurant owner. She came over and spoke to him calmly that "that is how I make that dish". His eyes were filled with anger, then hatred, but mostly insanity; it was more than garlic deprivation that was in this (less than) man's soul. What is WRONG with this man? I thought, and the more I realized what was going on , the more offended and disturbed I got. I stared him straight in the eye, never looking away when he looked my way. " I WASN"T AWAKE JUST YESTERDAY!" (yes exact words here) he shouted, followed by more swear words in spanish.

My fiance and I were the only ones other than the employees in the restaurant. I doubt he'd have the balls to say any of what he said in the presence of more hispanic men (other than benji, who looks white). He stood up from his seat and talked about how the "Damn Mexicans are taking over America !". I kept my cold stare. You aren't going to get away that easily you stupid pig, I thought ferociously. He finally left after calling everyone "cabrons" and some other words I forgot... Repeating NO COMPRENDE along the way (he obviously doesn't comprehend that he is in a mexican restaurant, eating mexican food, all while drinking a mexican soda). Then he came back, MAD as ever (his offensive swear words and damning all Mexicans wasn't enough) and got his Jarritos drink from the table and poured it all over the seat and table (there was still a lot left in his bottle). He looked at me after doing it. "PENDEJO!" I said as loud and angrily as I could staring at him because in that moment, that is all I could muster up, paralyzed in anger.

I felt like I was the only one who could say anything to that man, surely my fiance couldn't nor the employees. I thought he probably picked up those words from his laborers, he looked like the type who would own a farm... He obviously didn't know pendejo. He seemed confused after I called him that. In this town, most people of hispanic descent work in the fields and are usually illegally here. They can't say anything / do anything if they are treated poorly because they need the money and don't want to be deported.

Sadly, racism still exists openly in California, one of the most liberalist states in this country. It is disheartening to see that some people still hate races this much (or at all). Sure he said it out of anger and thus stupidity, but he wasn't lying; it was inside of him. And we needn't take this sort of shit from anyone anymore (whether it's race or any other thing), and stand up for ourselves , not let it go. Do something! Even if it is as small and stupid as calling someone a bitch in a foreign language, just so they know, they can't get away with this without having a consequence!

I do not regret saying that towards him; he deserved it, and if I would have just watched or ignored it , I would have been part of the problem as well (and probably feel even more horrible!).

So please, keep Waterford and it's surrounding areas a whole community ( I know this is a big stretch but the whole WORLD too). We do not need to enhance the segregation between hispanics and whites any longer over here. I know it is more of an issue in a place like Hickman where whites and hispanics seem to avoid talking to each other... We don't want to become like that. We don't want to go backwards in time, this is 2009 not the 1950's.

In comparison with the rest of the country we are BACKWARDS. And this BUBBLE we live in is not reality and is not right. City folk or country folk we all have rights and they apply the same here as they do elsewhere.

Even being hispanic but speaking little spanish i have to say this: Viva La Raza!!!! (I couldn't resist )

<3 peace!

[The Emperor]

Unfortunately, there will ALWAYS be assholes.

[lottacrazy]

Unfortunately there are a lot of bigots out there, and they will probably raise bigots, and so on. It is a sick, sad world.

[thunderstorm]

Racism is ugly and nasty; built on fear and anger and distrust.

The best thing we can do is stand up and say 'No. That's not OK. What you are doing is WRONG'. Kudos to you for doing just that.

To paraphrase Edmund Burke: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

[Mayteana]

Assholes come in all colors ~

Good for you for saying something!

It's rather sad that some people still can't find better things to do with their time then looking for reasons to hate on others.

[trying2live]

Racism is a sad excuse for people who have to blame their problems on another race.

[beetle]

That dude obviously had a problem. And I don't get why you'd go to a Mexican restaurant if you hate hispanics (or is it Latinos) so much. But this is America and folks are free to feel how they want about other people for whatever reason. Ya just can't use those feeling to make job decisions and stuff like that.

I will say though, that being against illegal immigration, is not the same as being a racist. And it's almost gotten to the point where a lot of people think that the two are synonymous. I've heard people call others racist when they talk about stopping illegal immigration. It doesn't mean you hate Hispanics. It just means that you want everyone who comes to this country to do it the right way. I'm not saying that this was part of your story in any way. Just adding a little something that I've been noticing lately.

[nalgas]

If you want to be really pedantic, no it probably won't ever entirely go away, because there will always be some whackjob somewhere. However, as much as it may still suck now, a lot of progress has been made, and it keeps slowly getting better. It'll take a long time, but it'll probably get to the point eventually where it's pretty much not socially acceptable anywhere, instead of in some places but not others like now. Well, unless everyone kills each other over it first, but that would eliminate racism, too. It's inevitable, with the way everything is becoming more global, cultures are mixing, and people are intermarrying.

But yeah, it sucks that it still happens as much as it does. That's part of what kind of creeps me out going to visit my dad's family in/near Detroit. It's usually not quite as overt as your story, but it weirds me out. High five for yelling at the guy, though.

[katerina]

If you want to be really pedantic, no it probably won't ever entirely go away, because there will always be some whackjob somewhere. However, as much as it may still suck now, a lot of progress has been made, and it keeps slowly getting better. It'll take a long time, but it'll probably get to the point eventually where it's pretty much not socially acceptable anywhere, instead of in some places but not others like now. Well, unless everyone kills each other over it first, but that would eliminate racism, too. It's inevitable, with the way everything is becoming more global, cultures are mixing, and people are intermarrying.

But yeah, it sucks that it still happens as much as it does. That's part of what kind of creeps me out going to visit my dad's family in/near Detroit. It's usually not quite as overt as your story, but it weirds me out. High five for yelling at the guy, though.

Thanks, really I just wanted to speed up this whole racism not being socially acceptable progress . I totally agree with what you said, when I saw this happening im like . This still exists openly in the world??? Ah, the humanity!

[Stickler]

Racism sucks, and the best way bar none to conquer it is genuinely integrated schools.

as far as illegal immigration:

They have illegals in the U.K.(50 miles of English Channel to get across), so illegals won't likely be stopped from coming here.

Illegals benefit companies who don't have to pay good wages, offer benefits or even provide safe conditions for their workers.

Why buy a 60$ rspirator when you can hire someone who may or may not be illegal but is desperate enough to work in your galvanizing plant, breathing the god-awful toxic fumes?

This real-life story brought to you from a plant close to where I used to work; I can't say they hire illegals but I saw their want-ad only in the Spanish-language newspaper, not in the English one.

Viva Katerina!

[Karin]

I tried to stay away from this discussion. Sorry, I can't.

I live in South Africa. The land where Nelson Mandela and Ghandi were imprisoned, the land of apartheid.

I am white. I was raised with racism being my culture. The way we do things. The law of the land - not just prejudice and bigotry and fear. LAW. Where a Black man could be arrested for as much as touching a white woman - even accidentally!

I could tell you stories of racism that will leave you weeping.

My generation questioned our parents and grandparents. We went against our upbringing, and we said:

enough, this can not be right.

But:

In South Africa? We had another election yesterday. The third that is free, fair, and open. Sure, there were a few glitches. Sure, my favourite party will not win.

But...

SOUTH AFRICA won again!

Because we have, I think, 40 political parties.

We have a multi-party government with pro rata representation.

Only one party fought on the strength of race: I don't think they got 1% of the vote. We all laugh at them.

There are many news clips where a female party leader dances arm in arm with rows of black men.

All this, in 15 years.

We have an economic slogan which I want to repeat here:

I am PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN !!

[MiaB]

<threadjack>

I think there are up to 100 registered parties, but only 26 were listed on the ballot papers. I think it's a bit of a stretch to call our government truly multi-party, when ONE party holds the majority and will nationally, with the possible exception of the Western Cape.

Also, it was our fourth free election, not our third.

I wish you'd just shut up about South Africa Karin. You keep talking about our country in the most bizarre places, like comparing h3llo's actions to the apartheid government. WTF is that about? Not to mention going on about how "self-satisfied" you feel. And don't use the excuse that it's a language issue. I've been a member here for nearly 4 years and for the first time I'm embarrassed that anyone knows I'm also South African.

Thank God there's an "ignore" button.

</threadjack>

[Karin]

Thank God for BLOGGING!!

I could REALLY let rip on my blog! It is my personal feeling about racism, and politics, and everything in South Africa.

Seeing that it is my own page and reflects MY FEELING, I can say what I want!!! ISN'T IT SOOOO COOOL!!!

It is DEFINITELY not for sensitive viewers, though, so I did not, OK, well, I did not know how to add in a link to it!

[daisy]

For the record, I don't swear a lot, but...

Racism pisses me the fuck off. Sexism pisses me the fuck off. Homophobia pisses me the fuck off.

This is more about sexism than racism, but I think it applies just as well. It's called Macho Paradox by Jackson Katz. One of his interesting notes is that our culture's ideas of masculinity include putting somebody down in order for men to be raised up. It's a very interesting book about men's violence, particularly because it's written by a man.

My point is.. why in the hell do we have to put another race/sex/sexuality down in order for us to feel better about ourselves? I live in Texas, so I experience it a lot. My own grandfather would disown me if he knew I was dating somebody from a different race. I'm serious - DISOWN me. It sickens me. I want to throw up just thinking about it.

It's actually one reason why I want to quit waitressing. I find that when I put my apron on, I'm racist, agist, sexist, etc. Well, it's not actually directed toward a specific race or age or sex... I just hate everybody equally. I don't like being that person. (The only people I DO like are gay men in their 30s. They always tip.... and it's horrible that I'm even saying that aloud because I'm embarrassed that I hate everybody else.)

[Karin]

OH. MY. GOSH. OLGA. HAS. A. PROBLEM.

DAIIIISEEEEEE FOR PRESIDENT!!!!

Daisy, I have repeatedly voted Olga in for President! However, THIS time, I think you are gonna get presidency!!!

Prejudice, no matter what form it takes, is HORRENDOUS. Hatred just because of race, or colour or religion or sexual preference, or whatever "general grouping", is HORRENDOUS!

It is shortsighted, it is ....

However, my kiddo used to also waitress, so I think I understand what you are referring to. And "loud-mouthed" Texans are always depicted in the movies as being, well, loud-mouthed Texans? So, if your customers are obnoxious and rude and unpleasant, then that is a different story altogether, and you are allowed to react, or it is at least understandable if you do!

I am not a huge Oprah fan, but she did a short Dr Martin Luther King Jr program, with clips of his speaches. WHAT an inspiration, WHAT a lesson to all of us!

[Murmur]

Racism sucks. Good for you for saying something to that jerk. He's a waste of oxygen.

[Karin]

oh jeeeezzz now i am crying. I thought everyone agreed that I should keep quiet.

[thunderstorm]

On the topic of illegal immigration, i find it utterly heartbreaking. I cant imagine a situation where putting my family's life at risk on a leaking, rusty boat to try and enter another country is preferable to living where I am.

A lot of racism is socially ingrained; I'd almost prefer in-your-face racism, because that's fairly easy to spot, and easier to stand up to. But the insidious stuff, like people presuming that most Indigenous Australians are looking for government handouts because of the Stolen Generation issue is so, so much harder to confront and solve.