Okay....I'm not going to go on TOO long about this...because, honestly, it's like beating a dead horse, but it has to be said...because it's knocking around in my head, and I have to tell someone.
Alright, so I'm at my mailbox down in the sublevel parking garage, and I see a fella that's roomies with 'a guy I know'. (all of whom shall remain nameless) I say, "How's it shakin'?" he says..."Trying to make ends meet and put something in my bank account.". You know, small talk...somehow, the fact that I'm thinking of moving coming September comes up, and I mention how overpriced this joint is. See, I pay 1,300 a month for a studio apartment, but this place I live in is like a resort. 2 hot tubs, 1 sauna, a full gym, an olympic sized swimming pool, security, gated entry....the works....BUT, my biggest complaint is this: We, the tenants, pay a wild amount of money, but daily I see people in flip flops, flowered shorts and bikini's, beach towel and tanning lotion standing outside our gates waiting for a car to make it past security so they can come in and use our pool. They live down the street in the cheap shits, and come use our expensive assed luxuries...it just doesn't seem right.....
So, I voice this complaint to said fellow at the mailbox where he says...."Yeah, there I was the other day laying in the hot tub when this....black....woman comes up with her 5 kids and says 'Everyone jump in!!', and I know she doesn't live here." First things first, he's only lived in the complex for maybe 5 months, and there's probably around 400 apartments in this complex...so, there's no way in hell he knows everyone....secondly....he did the typical whisper of the word "black" that I can't stand. But, before I take that further, let me continue....then he says..."And, security called my apartment the other day and said there was this...black guy....playing basketball at our basketball court, and he was in aparmtment ---- (left out on purpose), and that's my apartment number so I told them to kick him out." Okay, so you're telling me that SECURITY called your apartment and said..."Sir, do you have a black man staying with you that plays basketball?" I think not. So, there's a few things that come to mind with this....1) You're racist, and want me to jump on board with you and say..."Yeah, I hate black people."...which is why you're whispering that word to me, in hopes that it'll increase my hatred of the black man...(believe me, it's very common in Missouri)...or 2) All of it's true, and you're using the word 'black' in fear that someone black may hear you and take offense to it and call you a racist. Which, in my experience, most people that are black....know they're black, and in turn, if you're using it without harm...you have nothing to fear...it's like saying..."Man, there was this white guy dancing at the club last night and he looked like he was falling down a flight of stairs.", it just helps paint the image. Which, in this guys case, he could've left color out of it completely, and it more sounded like he was trying to get me to "Come to the Dark Side!!". So, I throw in the occasional "Are you sure he was black?", and he overly nods his head in the "OH YEAH!!" form. And I just listen. But, in defense of California, it doesn't seem to me that California Natives are like this...it more seems that the Out-of-Staters are the ones that bring it here....you know, from small towns, prettiest face in town, and decided they wanted to be famous...but, couldn't believe how many nationalities were actually in L.A.
So, as a lesson to those out there....if you aren't meaning harm....most ethnic people know who they are, and what color their skin is...so if you're saying "I was at a Mexican Restaurant, and this.....Mexican Guy....brought me my food." He knows he's Mexican, Italians know their Italian, and Black people know they're Black.....but, if you're a racist....keep it to yourself...we've got enough problems to deal with, without you bringing your ignorance to the table.
Enough......I'm out.
Love, Peace, and Chicken Grease,
-Johnny
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