recently a friend said something that was on some...well, hipster racism shit...and it didn't sit very well with me at all. it felt like a moment straight out of "what would you do" - it makes you go, "ummmm?" while simultaneously thinking, WTF! it left a bitter, sour, nasty taste in my mouth.
you see - not only did he reference how he, as a white
man, can wear a hoodie safely and how someone we both know cannot, he
actually said it twice. and he laughed because, you know, it was all
part of a joke. haha?
in the moment i didn't say anything because we were
in a very social environment and, to be honest, i didn't want to come
off as the angry friend. he does tend to say some pretty
insensitive/controversial things at times and i often feel like i
definitely have to pick my battles when i'm around him. i already know
what arguments he would use to defend his ability to make comments like
this (i don't even want to get into what they are since they're pretty
typical for people who make these comments) but as i ignored what he
said i was simultaneously thinking, "oh no he didn't!"
besides this joke being way too soon, i'm not sure that this "joke" will ever be acceptable to me from anyone.
it's a fact of life for too many young people for it to be funny and a
constant reminder of white privilege that he, and a lot of people, don't
seem to recognize. yes, my friend's life is so much easier because he
don't have to worry about whatever he's wearing and how others will
perceive him. but there are a lot of people in the city of ny and all
over the USA that do. and just because my friend is "aware of the
injustice of it all" doesn't mean that it's appropriate make a jokes at
the expense of people who are seriously affected by this.
it bothered me to my core because if i have a son i
will constantly worry about him wearing clothing that will mark him as a
target. i worry now about my bf being targeted by people (he's unaware
of that but i guess now he knows). so it will take more than just being
"aware" of the injustice of it all for anything to actually change.
so, i ask....WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
