So I go down to South Bend (Indiana) today to pick up some parts that the guys need at the office. Guy who usually helps me is in back, so another guy that we’ve highly suspected is gay helps me.
He brings the stuff out and I’m attempting to text message on my phone/pda, so he teases me. I respond, “You guys are no fun at all!”
“Well that’s because you haven’t been out drinking with us!”
Touche.
So I take the opportunity to ask about where good places are to go down there (since there’s no good places around here) for grown folks. At an early 30-something, this mother of three doesn’t particularly feel like “competing” with 21-25 year-olds when I just want to have a good time. He tells me of a couple places, and it’s cool. Then he tells me of another place that he hasn’t been to in a while (there were lots) but then says something about “But it’s black now”.
GRRRRR. I was kind of shocked. I mean, not really at all, but taken aback. It just came out of the blue. He also said something in the same breath about cops being outside all the time now, yadda yadda. Okay, so it’s not a place I’d want to be. But he wasn’t saying “because it’s a rough crowd”, it’s because “it’s black now”. As if the two are completely freaking synonymous.
I had half a mind to inform him that “So are my kids”, but I resisted. I’m certainly not going to change his mind. It just bothers me, though. Especially if he is gay. They, of all people, should understand how it is to be discriminated against for something completely beyond your control.
*sigh*, oh well. I’m really glad I’m not black. I don’t think I could handle that kind of crap day-in and day-out. Plus, I like the truth, and I like knowing the things people tell me when they think it’s safe. Even if, as Solomon said, that same wisdom brings sorrow.
