Confession Tuesday: Mad as Hell/Won't Take It Anymore edition

[phobean]

Today I confess that I, yet again, stuffed something in my mouth pretty much every hour of today. Good thing I'm not keeping chips and cookies in my office. I do wonder if my new officemate/employee notices that I'm literally eating ALL DAY. I'm constantly opening bags, pouring milk for cereal, and asking him for my dishes (which are located

Comments

[wolfdreams01]

Third: Little makes me angrier than white men throwing around their privilege with that air of righteousness and "white men's burden" BS. I can't guarantee it, but I suspect if I were someone else he would not have approached me.

Just out of curiousity, what are you basing that statement on? I'm interested in the criteria you use to distinguish between a racist or an asshole who just happens to be white.

[phobean]

It's all subjective. When someone out-of-the-blue talks to me like I'm an idiot, I consider who they are and why they might be approaching me that way and then base my assumptions and reactions on that.

I'm not sure that I'd call the guy a racist as much as I think he's caught in a pattern that he's likely not aware of. I'm sure he'd be shocked and wildly defensive if I'd had my wits about me at the time and said to him what I said in my post above.

[wolfdreams01]

Well, I don't know how close you came to hitting him, but I know I tend to be very aggressive on the road, and you DID point out that he had right of way. I would probably do something similar, but it certainly wouldn't be based on any sort of "white man's burden" but simply because I believe in vigilantism. In fact, I once got cut off by a white police officer, and not only did I force him to pull over (by getting in frotn of him and braking as I gave him the finger) but I also referred to him as a dickhead as he was ticketing me. And I later filed a complaint about him.

I guess what I'm worried about is what happens if I do something like this and the other driver turns out to be female or a minority, so then everybody thinks I'm racist?

[phobean]

Good point. I don't accuse all white men (or women) who overstep boundries of being "racist". I've never been like that. It takes a certain sequence of events for me to consider someone's actions problematic in that way. I'm also aware that I have my own prejudices to be aware of and contend with.

[anonymous]

Love this line: "I confess that I've never been confused about my own power. I am a powerful person, always have been." (too bad the bike commuter didn't realize that sooner.) I feel the same way about myself. We powerful people should hang out more often.

And I love that the memorial you attended turned out to be a joyous occasion. Good to be surrounded by friends and family.

I confess that I can never remember my livejournal login.

Jan
poetmom.blogspot.com

[mostly_irish]

That sounds like the kind of funeral Dann wants someday. Not just a celebration..a full on party. :)

Sorry that douchy biker harshed your happy buzz.

[persefoni]

Hey Pho,

I'm wondering, did you always ride a bike, and if not, when did you pick it up again? I just bought my first bike since I was maybe 12. The last time I rode a bike I was maybe 30 and on Martha's Vineyard and rented bikes with my sisters but the distance we had to go, the people and the rain kept me from riding too long and I ended up walking with it.

The new bike is hot, but I'm so shaky on it. My roommate is trying to help me, but of course, I'm embarrassed cause he's someone who rode cross country and I'm like 7 years old again.

I want to get to the point where I can at least take it on weekend trips to bike paths and eventually be able to commute to work on it. I'm trying to incorporate more exercise in my daily life and be kinder to the planet...

Any tips on how to not be so afraid/shaky?

Thanks,

- Faye

[phobean]

Faye,

I'd be glad to give you some pointers. Want to get together?