True stories of the race war

[trenchkamen]

For as much time as we spent in middle school discussing prejudice and reading stories about prejudice and racial tension, I would expect that word to be in the vocabulary of every public middle school graduate in the country. I seldom hear it. I've heard people accuse others of being racist, but never prejudiced, in all seriousness. Until tonight, anyway.

The family went up to the Chinese buffet on Cactus for Granddad's 86th birthday. As we were exiting this mildly-scruffy vaguely-ethnic man asked us if we could "help him get home". Mom said "No, no", and the rest of us politely ignored him. Usually this sort of response is met with a crestfallen "Thank you; God bless" or something of that sort, or at worst, a little nagging, like that guy on College Ave who asked me for change every single fucking day and half-heartedly yelled "Come on!" after me when I had none.

This guy, on the other hand, started yelling "What, are you fucking prejudiced? Can't help a guy get home, you mother fuckers?", etc, the entire time we walked to the car. In my infinite patient wisdom I thought it wise to yell "Extremely" over my shoulder, but Dad told me to shut up. Clearly, this guy was just loaded off his ass, and in retrospect it isn't wise to provoke people who may be hopped up on PCP or meth or something. The guy tracked us awkwardly on the sidewalk edging the parking lot as we walked diagonally to the car, and after the seventh-or-so "Mother fucker" or something like that, Granddad stopped and faced the guy, reaching into his coat. Dad and I called to him, and for one crazy second I wondered if he was going to bust out on this guy, which, while suicidal, would have been immensely entertaining. I've never seen him mad before. He makes me look vile-tempered in comparison. Granddad finally turned around and asked us if he should call the cops, and Dad said it wasn't worth it, which is true. Guy hadn't assaulted anybody, and I'm not sure if the police would appreciate being called out because some guy dropped some f-bombs around us. Were that qualification for being arrested, I would never be here on the outside. He finally quietly retired to the bus stop.

I wonder if he's gotten anybody to turn around and give him a ride home by accusing them of being prejudiced. Even my upper-middle-class white guilt has its limits.

Comments

[theonlynonny.livejournal.com]

it's not prejuidiced. It's just being uncharitable. There is a difference *giggles* I am so evil.

[alexielnet.livejournal.com]

This has nothing to do with race, but one time while I was working a box office, this guy, claiming to be dumb or something handed me a note asking for money for a bus fare. I had no money on me so I said sorry, and he started cursing me out. Apparently he expected me to take money out of my register. Dumbass. I'm not stealing money for you, even if I didn't have two camera recording everything I did.

There is this drunk guy on University and Mill who asked me for a nickel to help with his bus fare to Mesa. I handed him a dollar and he looked at me, so I added a quarter. He made a big deal about it. A month later he asked me again for a nickel. Having already given him money, I didn't want to give him a whole dollar so I gave him some change. He just looked at me like I was being a jerk and walked away, with my money of course.

I don't think we OWE people on the street charity. I'm sure not everyone begging for money is a bad person, but some of them are. I know at least two--Araina's (my cousin through marriage) mum and dad will buy ciggies before they buy food for their kids.

[theonlynonny.livejournal.com]

technically it's not racist but it could be prejudiced against homeless or "scruffy" poeple lol.

When poeple honestly say they want to just buy a beer or something then I give them what change I have....lol

[fabula-umbrae.livejournal.com]

Once me and my mom ran into this kid who'd obviously come out to Hollywood thinking he was going to make it big and then didn't. He was trying to last long enough to make it back home. Nice guy. We brought him a cooked chicken. He was very happy about that.

Course we made sure he wasn't allergic and such first. Generally if someone's hungry and you offer to buy them food they'll say yes. If they're just trying to use food as an excuse to ask for drug money they shy away the moment you offer to bring them something edible instead.

[trenchkamen.livejournal.com]

Weren't you and Hillel with me when we gave that guy our P.F. Chang's leftovers? Good times.

[fabula-umbrae.livejournal.com]

I think so. *nods*

[alexielnet.livejournal.com]

That's nice, but I still don't owe them anything and I don't think that makes me uncharitable. I frequently donate, even if it isn't always money, but rather canned goods or meals for people in need. In fact, I often give to people if they ask, but I still don't OWE it to them.

[theonlynonny.livejournal.com]

I agree. No one is owed anything they didn't earn. Was just poitning it out it could be seen as prejuidiced although not nessacarily racist. Excuse me I'm a vocab nazi >.<

[trenchkamen.livejournal.com]

I had no idea I was going to start a sociopolitical discussion here.

[trenchkamen.livejournal.com]

I think I know this guy you are talking about.

Dude, we need to meet IRL. We attend the same fucking university, for Christ's sake. I'm in the sub-basement of LSE right now on lunch break.

[miwasatoshi.livejournal.com]

I got into the habit of never carrying cash because of the Millrats. Seriously, some of those guys look like they could afford to miss a few meals; few things annoy me more than well-fed, able-bodied panhandlers, because they divert attention away from the people who really DO need charity.

In any case I could honestly say, "Sorry, not carrying cash" or "no I don't have any change".

[theonlynonny.livejournal.com]

a lot of poeple make a living pretending to be panhandlers. Once when i was like 12 or something I was on a field trip and I saw from the bus this guy with a sign "please help godbless" or whatever....whom was talking on a cell phone. >.< It's ridiculous.

[micrll.livejournal.com]

Same thing here, especially since I have to go up to the brikyard where they like to hang out, at least we have the security people around that keep them from setting up shop near our class room and labs. But ya, I almost always get asked for money when I leave the Jack in the box, but I 95% of the time pay for everything with my credit card (yes even a charge of $1.14) its simpler, and I can honestly just say I don't carry cash.

[xcerebraledemax.livejournal.com]

RUDE.

Prejudice matters aside, the thought of someone behaving that way around grandparents angryz up the blood.