Treating Black People Differently

[ohgeetee]

Whenever I pass by a black person, I give them a polite nod or say hello if the situation makes sense, ie. I say good morning/how's it going to my black neighbors but I don't really make an effort with other neighbors. If they say hello, of course I'll respond, but I don't usually go out of my way.

If I am walking into or out of a store, I'll hold the door that extra couple of seconds if a black person is behind me, but generally only hold it the normal amount of time in other scenarios.

Black person waiting to turn into the lane I'm in: I'm more prone to let them through than I am if soccer mom is there waiting.

I don't think I consciously stop and say person = black, polite = true, but I definitely lean more towards being anonymously courteous in regards to black people.

I have been around black people and have had black friends since I was a kid, so I'm not really sure why I do it. Its kinda like I want to make sure every black person I come across knows I'm not "one of those people," but by being overly courteous, I think its kinda the same thing.

Anyone else do this? Am I a whackjob?

[TheDudeAbides]

I think you're racist. Seriously.

[heater]

Soccer moms can't be black? Racist.

[secretprankster]

I just scrolled through the OP to make sure the "black friends" bit was included.

Success.

[The B]

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Am I a whackjob?

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do blacks eat fried chicken?

[TheBlueMonster]

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Am I a whackjob?

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do blacks eat fried chicken?

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are you a douche?

[Mike Gallo]

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Am I a whackjob?

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[RoundGuy]

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Am I a whackjob?

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do blacks eat fried chicken?

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are you a douche?

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Anyone responding to this stupid thread is a douche.

Damn!

[Dids]

The nod thing is the only bit that makes a bit of sense, simply because that type of acknowledgement is more common in black culture than in others.

Everything else seems just weird. Threat people like people.

[ohgeetee]

"I just scrolled through the OP to make sure the "black friends" bit was included."

LOL, when writing it, I knew someone would run with it.

I'm definitely not racist in the dictionary sense of the word, as I don't believe any race is superior or that race dictates character.

I definitely realize that past experience often dictates current beliefs though. Maybe by being polite I think I'm somehow getting some random black dude to be like "not all white people are [censored]."

The reality is, I probably worry about it more than any random person I meet does, but what's next? Do I consciously try to not be courteous, or do I up my level of courteousness to include everyone? I don't think I can put forth that kind of effort either way.