Flippanarchy

Right? Like if a Black guy's robbing me, it's not because he's an [n-word], it's because he's an asshole. In other words, it's not because everyone who looks like him in one way (skin colour, ethnicity — plenty of Black people with no heritage tracing back to the African continent) is sub-human, it's because this. individual. person. is a shithead.

I actually have this experience. I was once jumped by two Black guys in high school (brothers, I think). I somehow pissed off a gang and this guy (actually a Hispanic guy) wanted me roughed up. Not killed, it wasn't that serious, but he wanted a message sent. Anyway, I never attributed the attack to their skin colour or their race. If it could be attributed to a broader group, it was the gang, which featured members who were Black and Hispanic and maybe even white or Asian.

I feel like this shouldn't have to be explained to rational people and I expect a lot of people here are like "no shit dude, you're preaching to the choir," I just also find it weird that people are like "fuck you and everyone else who looks like you." Makes no sense to me.

Oh... even better... I once got into a fight with a bully who happened to be Black in high school. Again, I didn't hate his whole race because he was a shitty person for whatever reason. We both punched each other, we both got suspended. Years later I see him at a job. He tries to talk to me, but I duck him. Those days, I was getting a ride to work, and walking home at night. So I'm walking home one night and he rolls up on me. He's got a nice car. Offers me a ride. I get in, he turns the music down. We talk about work. We don't talk about our past. He doesn't apologise. He's not interested in reconciliation. He knows who I am, but we silently, mutually agree, as men, that high school was high school and we're adults now. He asks if he can drop me off at home. I have him drop me off a couple streets over. He understands, doesn't take it personally. We shake hands, I thank him for the ride. We never became friends, but if he said hey to me at work, I didn't duck him. This was over 25 years ago. I have no idea where he is in life. I don't even recall his name. But I hope he's a grandfather and has a lot of happiness. I don't want to meet his kids or grandkids, or even see him again. But I figure maybe he had a rough childhood. I hope he's doing better these days, because he was doing better last time I saw him.

I look at people as individuals, the product of their combined education (not just school but like "every man is your teacher") and experience, not as part of their race, and I think that's how rational people look at it. I guess, anyway.

It's so easy, almost second nature to do it as far as race goes. Religion is harder. So is sex/gender. But if you can slow down and apply the same logic... I think a lot of things will fall into place. But that's a story for another time.