swt61

It's funny how we're all so afraid of the word prejudice. It's taken on such a negative connotation, and rightly so, due to the way we've treated those different from ourselves. I've heard many times a Black person say that they can't be racist, like it's an impossibility. It's generally thrown on the shoulders of White people. I get the basic idea, but it's incorrect. Every human on this earth is susceptible to racism. Each and every one of us has the capacity to hate someone different than ourselves. If you break the word prejudice down, it literally means to pre-judge. Most Black people do that every time they're pulled over by a White cop. That's in no way to imply that they don't have damn good reason to do so, it's just describing what past experiences cause them to do. We all do it. Some out of a healthy sense of fear. Some out of an ignorant sense of hate. But it's still pre-judging. The way through that for me was to immerse myself in someone else's world. I've told this story here before, but in the mid 80's I moved into a new group of condos near a lake in Anchorage. It was a very nice part of town. It's was during a recession in the country, and these brand new condos weren't selling. They ended up renting them, and still had to entice people with lots of extras. I had free utilities, a washer and dryer installed in the unit, two underground parking spaces etc... I asked a Black friend to move in with me, since it was a two bedroom. Shortly after moving in, he went to walk his dog by the lake around 6:00 at night. Being winter, it was dark. He was gone for over an hour for what was normally a 10 minute walk on a very cold night. Finally there was a knock on the door. I opened it to see two cops holding him. They didn't asked me if he lived there, but instead stated "This man claims to live here". I immediately got cocky (because I'm White, and didn't have a fear of cops) and spat out "because he fucking does". The more worked up I got, the more that my Black roommate tried to calm me down, even though they were still holding both of his arms as though he was a criminal about to bolt at any second. It took a while to get them to let him go. I was fuming! "What's the sentence for walking a dog while Black"? I was really laying into them. Living with a Black person really opens your eyes to what they live with on a regular basis. The shit that should be so simple and benign can be dangerous if you are of another color other than White. I don't think you can truly experience that kind of overt racism from a distance. To follow up on that incident... My best friend at that time was named Zoya. Zoya's parents loved me, as I loved them. Zoya's father was a Lutienent at APD (Anchorage Police Department). I passed on the incident and badge numbers. They had met my roommate many times. I'm not sure if getting their asses chewed out caused them to slow down and think things through, but it sure made my roommate and myself feel better.

Well Grahame, I guess we were both wrong about that!

Holey shit! I could never have seen that coming! Starting episode 7 now. I hope it explains what ever the hell that was!

I'm not sure, but I'm absolutely certain that it's not contagious.

I completely understand. However, for myself I just can't listen to his music anymore. Whenever I do I just get mad at how big an asshole he is. The same goes for Van Morrison.

I am a professional. Don't try this at home.

Not sure how many people will understand this, but gay people of my age group celebrated this event. Look up Anita Bryant.

It's a private dick noir, and it's good.

Those look to be perfectly baked. Are you? 😂

That is powerful. And I love children, but I do believe not having any myself was best for me.

I watched the whole thing about a week ago. Really enjoyed it. Music documentaries are my favorite. The Wrecking Crew is also awesome. And the docs. on Laurel Canyon & docs. on the Haight/Ashbury late 60s music scene are good too.

Or next to the creek.

But the best burger joint in the world isn't in California or Texas. It's in Anchorage, Alaska. I'm truly sad that you fine folks have never experienced magnificence in a burger. Especially with the best onion rings in the world. And on those walls is a pic of little, 10 y.o. Stevie and family from 1971. Oh how I'd like to be sitting in one of those Red booths, looking down on Camble Creek right now!

I didn't get a lot of abuse, physical or verbal. Just a few times when I was gathered in a gay event. I guess I'd use the term "passable". Most people don't catch on until they've known me a while, and then usually because I bring it up. I'm also not a small guy. And I have no fear of being hit (thanks Dad). It's been some time since I've been in a physical altercation, but I've gotten scrappy in the past. Usually defending a smaller, weaker gay friend. Nothing gets me more pissed off than a bully. Toss in a homophobic bully and we've got a fight. Luckily those are few and far between in the bay area. There is one bully that I truly want to punch in the face though...

Sometimes in life, you're the pinkie.

Wait, what? Is this a headphone forum?

Out of all of the offensive shit I've said in the past, this is what gets me the angry emoticon? 😂

That is very similar to a word I heard from the few girls that I slept with in my younger days. They all said something about a "microclimax", what ever that is.

That's a beautiful piece! My parents were racist. They'd never admit to that, and probably actually believe that they were not racist. But I grew up in a house where the "N" word was used often. I remember my Mom telling me not to make friends with Black kids in school, because they couldn't be trusted. Even though I understood from an early age that way of thinking was wrong, some of that prejudice is bound to seep through. That's why racism is so prevalent. Because it's passed on through generations, because kids think their parents have the answers. My oldest Brother was my moral compass throughout my childhood and still today. He taught me to disregard that ideology, and that our parents were just wrong. I fought that ideology, sometimes to the backlash of my parents. Through the years my Father became less and less racist. I know that was a hard thing for him, as his parents were even more racist than he was. I'll never forget the day my Father happily helped my gay, Black friend fix the brakes on his car. That was a highpoint for me. It's amazing watching your parents grow up. My Mother is better, but still says absolutely stupid, racist shit from time to time. I don't let those moments pass, and that does piss her off. Too bad. I'll never stop. I recognize that some of that stupid shit seeped into me at an early age. I also recognize that I have the education to rationalize how ridiculous those ideas are. I've had 4 Black roommates, all at different times in my life. That drove my Mother crazy. She couldn't understand it. I sought out those roommates on purpose. They were friends first, but when the opportunity came to share an apartment, I chose to do so to help my own growth and understanding. I wanted to counter my upbringing. I definitely believe it helped me push back against not only my parents ideas, but all of my Texas relatives racist views that I was also subjected to in my childhood. Some of whom would flabbergast you with their pure hate towards other races. It's OK to grow up with those ideas. It's immoral not to fight back against those ideas.

I have to admit, I don't understand the devotion to this burger joint either. I'd choose What-a-burger over In & out every time.