Crossing the street for fear of the black man...

Al B. Sure! · October 12, 2002, 22:53

A while back in some thread, Dave Floyd was talking about crossing the street to avoid a black man, saying how this is not racist, etc.

So my question is how many people here would do that?

On class trips to places like DC, I've seen people avoid (even jog in a different direction) friends of mine. In my neighbourhood, I don't usually encounter this obviously but I'm wondering how many people here are scared of the 17-25 year old black man...

thanks

Bereta_Eder · October 12, 2002, 23:03

Many here in the OT Forum do I think.

Most of them are racists.

Bereta_Eder · October 12, 2002, 23:18

And I'll elaborate.

Watch closely and you will see that in every opportunity they can get they will make a point of stating that they belong to the "white race" by stating where their grandads came from. They will also make a point of stating that they belong to the western world. To them these two are inter-related.

This large percentage of OT Apolytoners suffers from a condition which can be described as "caucasian psychosis".

It is the same as racism only they don't realize it/admit it.

But it is clear to see.

Bereta_Eder · October 12, 2002, 23:19

And the utter irony of it all is that 75% of the US poplation has african american genes in them.

It's like they try to deny them whenever they can, "to cast out the demon"

Still they may be less racist than some of their european brethern.

monolith94 · October 12, 2002, 23:21

If there is a white guy who looks thuggish and looks like he could beat me up, I won't walk around or go to the other side of the street (because he might notice this and become confrontational because of it) - rather I'd act normally and non confrontational and totally forgettable…
The same would go for a black guy, an asian guy, or a hispanic guy - if they can beat me up I watch my actions carefully.

KrazyHorse · October 12, 2002, 23:24

So you must be on your toes constantly, eh...

Skanky Burns · October 12, 2002, 23:28

I aviod people wherever possible, regardless of race.

Dr Strangelove · October 12, 2002, 23:53

Quote:

Originally posted by paiktis22
And I'll elaborate.

Watch closely and you will see that in every opportunity they can get they will make a point of stating that they belong to the "white race" by stating where their grandads came from. They will also make a point of stating that they belong to the western world. To them these two are inter-related.

This large percentage of OT Apolytoners suffers from a condition which can be described as "caucasian psychosis".

It is the same as racism only they don't realize it/admit it.

But it is clear to see.

Jeeezz, Paiktis, coming from a guy who recently complained about how black people smell your remarks seem a little odd.

When I was younger I probably would have crossed the street to avoid being on the same sidewalk as a black man, specifically a black man who was young, dressed in colors (gang garb) and looked powerful or menacing. I had some bad experiences with some black people when I was young. I deliberately took a job where I had contact with black people, but I couldn't effectively hide my anxieties and they knew it and took advantage of it. This was in the late 60s, at a time when frankly many whites and blacks simply didn't know how to approach each other. Today I would probably do that only if he was acting strange or belligerant.

Bereta_Eder · October 12, 2002, 23:57

I just complained about those horride odours coming out of my neighboors appartment attributing them to particularly strong scented cuisine if you'd recall.

But even if I was the most vile of racists, would that change anything of what I said?

Defamation of one person to attack what he says is an old trick, but it remains just that, a trick.

David Floyd · October 12, 2002, 23:59

Quote:

So my question is how many people here would do that?

Well, it depends on their appearance. I would certainly cross the street to avoid walking by a young black youth in baggy clothes (same as I would for a white guy, most likely). Not so much worried about getting my ass kicked, but more worried about weapons.

It's called situational awareness, and it helps to ensure safety. If someone wants to take offense to that, they can **** themselves.

Apocalypse · October 13, 2002, 00:14

I am in downtown Houston on a daily basis. I see blacks and other minorities all the time. If I wanted to avoid them I wouldn't be able to go anywhere.

You have to realize that these guys are not out to get you. They are generally nice people.

David Floyd · October 13, 2002, 00:27

Quote:

You have to realize that these guys are not out to get you. They are generally nice people.

Agreed. But whether we want to or not, we all judge by experiences, because every once in a while, the stereotype comes true. It's not "wrong" to cross the street to avoid a menacing looking person, regardless of their race.

Apocalypse · October 13, 2002, 00:39

Quote:

Originally posted by David Floyd
It's not "wrong" to cross the street to avoid a menacing looking person, regardless of their race.

Except when you are paranoid.

David Floyd · October 13, 2002, 00:42

Trying to avoid every black person on the street in the daytime is paranoid. Avoiding dark areas and staying away from menacing looking people at night, regardless of race, is prudent.

Apocalypse · October 13, 2002, 00:45

David Floyd · October 13, 2002, 00:47

OK, fine. I'll just be secure in knowing that I might offend someone, but at least the odds of me getting mugged or hurt are lower.

I do all sorts of things at night if I'm by myself in order to stay safe. Get over it.

Apocalypse · October 13, 2002, 01:01

I'm not offended. I just find what you are saying to be silly.

David Floyd · October 13, 2002, 01:01

Why?

Shi Huangdi · October 13, 2002, 01:19

Depends. If the person was wearing a business suit, no. If it was late at night and I was by myself, I would take care to try to avoid threatening people........

Urban Ranger · October 13, 2002, 01:25

I avoid dark alleys at night. They are tough mothers.

Imran Siddiqui · October 13, 2002, 01:41

Quote:

Most of them are racists.

Especially certain Greeks who have an irrational hatred of Turks

.

Bosh · October 13, 2002, 02:19

I'm generally too oblivious to even notice in time to cross the street

orange · October 13, 2002, 02:23

i never cross the street to avoid anyone but a former love interest

Drake Tungsten · October 13, 2002, 02:24

Quote:

i never cross the street to avoid anyone but a former love interest

Is your former love interest a black man?

Asher · October 13, 2002, 02:28

I also never go out of my way to avoid people.

Then again I live in Canada in a major city with like 7 murders a year, so I don't have all too much to worry about.

orange · October 13, 2002, 02:30

Quote:

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten

Quote:

i never cross the street to avoid anyone but a former love interest

Is your former love interest a black man?

yes, it's true! It's true! i'm a dirty racist and flaming homosexual :runs away crying hysterically:

Drake Tungsten · October 13, 2002, 02:34

BTW, I think that a :run away crying hysterically: smilie would be a good addition.

Ramo · October 13, 2002, 03:12

If it's night and I'm in a run-down, high crime rate area, I might cross the street if I see a big person acting unusally...

ixnay · October 13, 2002, 03:44

I don't avoid black people. Then again, I only see black people on the streets once every couple of months around here.

monolith94 · October 13, 2002, 03:55

"So you must be on your toes constantly, eh..."
Hmmmm… perhaps my statement stretched into hyperbole…
I'm not actually as paranoid as all that. basically I mean to say that I don't avoid people but I'm not a very physical person either. To be most accurate, my answer would most closely parallel Boshko's…