As I'm approaching my apartment complex with my bowling bag rolling on the ground (I have one of those big ball holders that are lugged around like luggage), I notice my neighbor letting her dog use the bathroom outside. She and her dog are standing next to my entrance, so I have to go around her (she doesn't move for me), and when I do so, her dog charges me and starts barking up a storm. Jokingly, I said "She must not like my bowling bag rolling on the ground" and she looked me dead in the eyes and said "No, we don't like dark skinned people."

She then walks off, leaving me there speechless. She wasn't some senior citizen still stuck in her old ways; she is probably 10 years older than me (I'm 27). This isn't some low-income community where you might expect this kind of thing...this is a well-to-do neighborhood. And the worst part is...she's an educated person: she's a doctor.

No matter how many times I get called a derogatory name or get an insult like the above one thrown at me, it still surprises me. You'd think that the greatest nation in the world would learn to get along with each other. But how can we be a "nation united" when there are those that hate others because of the color of their skin, or the religion they practice?

I don't blame some for feeling the way they do. At a glance, programs like affirmative action are nothing but reverse racial discrimination. How can I expect someone to respect me when there is a notion that I didn't earn my way into the neighborhood I lived in...that I was given an unfair shot? I've always agreed that we must do away with affirmative action: give me the job because I'm the best man for it, not because you don't have enough dark skinned people in management.

I or anyone else will never get rid of the hate, I know this. But if any of you out there dislike or look down at someone because of the color of their skin and not the content of the character, remember this: I am just another American citizen trying to get by. I served my country proudly, even fighting for it. I didn't cheat my way to the top and I don't think I'm better than anyone else.

Just leave me be and let me live my life.

I have couple those experience of my own, but i don't let it get to me, it does hurt but i'm bigger than that. I'm not going to be like, "Oye, why they treat me like that!" It happens, but don't judge every white person by the action of just a few.

__________________
In the land of the blind, the man with one eye is the king
- Nas

I don't let it get to me that much...I'm not going to go on an angry tirade or anything like that. I just brought this up because it seems that I experience an "episode" just when I've forgotten about the previous one.

I'm not judging white people because of the actions of a few; that would just put me on the same level as the ones who insult me.

I guess I just want people to know that these types of problems are still there and they need to be addressed.

First of all, I'm glad that this kind of thing surprises you, and maybe even glad it upsets you. It's not the kind of thing that warrants complacency. And if it's rare enough to cause surprise, we must be improving, don't you think?

Second, it sounds so weird. Are you sure that the woman didn't say, "she (meaning the dog) doesn't like dark-skinned people"? I knew a racist dog once. It was a Chow Chow who would absolutely attack a black man if given the chance. Didn't seem to mind black women though. I suspect a black man was once mean to it.

__________________
"Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves." ~Ronald Reagan

I am 100% positive she said "we" not "she." She accentuated "we" and made a gesture pointing to herself.

The surprise is not a response because of the seldomness that these things happens, it's a surprise that there are still people out there who harbor these feelings. And this particular situation really surprised me because I know this woman is a doctor. I mean, how does she treat minority patients?

I'm not saying that this epidemic is widespread, and I absolutely believe racism is dying. I've never had any violent disputes with anyone, so I'm not in fear for my life. But I do think this can spread if we continue to live like there is not a problem. Rosa Parks death should've reminded everyone that this type of racism is still here.

where they burn books they will burn people.....said in germany 100 years before ww2....the blacks(i dont know what the term is) should fight this kind of racism,not ignore.....the jews ignored in europe before ww2.....now im not saying that the american gov will do anything(of course a democratic country wont) but racists them selves might act against u,and who know if the police will be able to handle it......

oh and by the way:the term "greatest nation in the world" is a term i dont like.....ive been to america and i prefer israel.everyone can choose what country they like the most.......but no one can decide it for the others.

I meant no offense whatsoever, and certainly didn't mean to compare the USA to any other country. I've been to other countries and I prefer this one, but didn't mean to shove it out there and offend anyone else.

I just happen to be a proud American, even though there are people here who hate me because of my skin color.

and that's exactly why u have to fight....in the country that u love,u never have to be ashame of u who u are or be hatefull or have ur rights as a human being hurt....i coompletely understand where ur coming from

Its sounds weird to you, 12th?? WHY?

__________________
"Only a fool tests the depth of the water with both feet."

You should never be ashamed of who you are anywhere. If people don't like you simply because of your race, then that's fine as long as they keep it to themselves, as soon as they start to speak it outloud then they have no right to be respected. Always fight injustice, wherever you find it, never leave it to ferment, for it can always grow. Never assume someone else will fight for you, always take action yourself.

__________________
It's the difference between suicide and slow capitulation... - Jim Morrison