Okay, I usually don’t take harassment all that seriously, it sometimes offends me, and it rarely scares me (but this is one of those times). This one, I can’t begin to rationalize at all and it makes my blood boil.
I used to play music on the streets. Now, things happen while playing that you accept that you wouldn’t if you were just standing there, ie people shouting, “I love you” and trying to hug you (they’ll often ask before hand), so it is not a job for the sheepish…..
But, one time when I was finished playing, I had all of my gear packed up and in cases and bags, so I was clearly finished. I went to see my friend who was doing the same, as I stood there, someone who was much taller than me comes up to me and tries to wrap his arms around me….. he gives me no, “hello” or, “I want to hug you,” nothing.
So in my mind, I don’t know if he’s going to mug me, grop me, carry me off or IF he’s harmless. I view him as a threat. So, I put up a defensive posture (not aggresive, but defensive and instinctual) my eyes squint, I crouch, and put up my hands palms out around my face and neck ready to protect myself from a attack.
So this guy wanders off….and I did n’t get a clear look at him beyond he’s wearing a T-shirt, has short dark hair, and is quite tall with tanned skin….this is important, because what REALLY pissed me off was his asshole white friend comes up to me and proclaims that I acted this way because I am (obviously) a racist.
I don’t care what a persons skin colour is, no one should have the right to put their hands on anyone, especially when they aren’t giving reason…… we don’t know what you’re going to do.
– Say
Location: Whyte Ave, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Margaret says
Ugh. I remember the harassment and general unpleasantness around Whyte Ave. My very first apartment was right on Whyte. I also have heard many stories from girlfriends of men stalking them and harassing them on Whyte during ‘bar rush’ around 2.00 AM. I worked nights in a donair shop on the strip when I was seventeen, and I was offered money for sex by drunk customers every night. The scariest story I heard on Whyte was a friend of a girlfriend who was raped after a night of clubbing.
Concealed Weapon says
Even if you were racist, you still have every right to reject anyone you want for any reason. Some people do have a racial preference, and there is nothing wrong with that. I’m not trying to imply that you’re racist. I’m just saying that even if you were, it’s your right.