Last year I was with some dormmates. We were taking the public transpo to see a show. A young guy got on the bus: black, dreadlocks, hoodie, moving around like you wanted to give him some space. I told myself, don't judge this guy. Dreadlocks are good for African hair and hoodies are warm, you wear them yourself.
A few minutes later, he attempted to steal a dormmate's purse. Fortunately her boyfriend had his eye out, and fended him off.
I'm not telling you this to say that all black guys with dreadlocks and hoodies and big movements are thieves. I'm saying that we make snap judgments, we are able to make snap judgments because we and our ancestors needed them to operate, and sometimes they really do protect us. Though there are reasons to attempt to change it, our instinct is intelligent and should not be dismissed out of hand. Many times they pick up trends that are difficult to put into words.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mark_asphodel's journal
no subject
Date: 2012-10-08 12:41 am (UTC)A few minutes later, he attempted to steal a dormmate's purse. Fortunately her boyfriend had his eye out, and fended him off.
I'm not telling you this to say that all black guys with dreadlocks and hoodies and big movements are thieves. I'm saying that we make snap judgments, we are able to make snap judgments because we and our ancestors needed them to operate, and sometimes they really do protect us. Though there are reasons to attempt to change it, our instinct is intelligent and should not be dismissed out of hand. Many times they pick up trends that are difficult to put into words.