Racist outburst on LRT (video)

[Jets4Life]

Now that is just ridiculous.

It's that exact kind of thought process that needs to be examined. I was stating facts. Should I have lied? Another prime example of a social justice warrior with mixed up priorities. God help us all if a forum member makes a legitimate racist comment.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

God help us all if a forum member makes a legitimate racist comment.

First of all- that's a bit of a contradiction. But the point you were missing was that you could have told the story without mentioning race- and it would have said the same thing.

Did you "lie" because you didn't mention what brand of shoes he wore? Or did you not mention shoes because it wasn't relevant?

[codfather]

Pepsiefree, did you even read Jets4Life's comment, or did you just skim it looking for indications of race? In many cases the race of the individual doesn't matter however in this case I would argue it does.

Here's you:

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Notice how the prime details you give are ones intended to make him sound more threatening?

"Has 3 inches on me"
"40 pounds heavier"
"Drunk"
"Surrounded by 5 of his friends"

Oh, and "Native"

Now here's the relevant part of Jets4Life's comment that happens to indicate the race of the person:

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

Suddenly, this big Aboriginal dude comes up to me, puts his hands on me twice, and shouts "Are you Caucasians afraid of Native dudes?"

Jets4Life didn't even refer to the person as "native", you did that. What if Jets4Life had left out the "Aboriginal dude" part? The story would be kind of weird without it. It this situation, it adds context to what was said to Jets4Life.

I'm sure a big reason this Aboriginal dude made this particular comment is due to racism he has received over the years, but to imply Jets4Life was being racist in his description is unfair. It's also incredibly telling how you simply write off this encounter because Jets4Life is white. As has already been said, this encounter is more aggressive and arguably worse than what we see in the video and yet you right it off as no big deal because it was a white person that was the vicitim.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by codfather

I'm sure a big reason this Aboriginal dude made this particular comment is due to racism he has received over the years, but to imply Jets4Life was being racist in his description is unfair. It's also incredibly telling how you simply write off this encounter because Jets4Life is white. As has already been said, this encounter is more aggressive and arguably worse than what we see in the video and yet you right it off as no big deal because it was a white person that was the vicitim.

I didn't write it off, I was originally a jokingly flippant but I acknowledged that it was a moment of LRT related abuse that obviously scared him.

If you look at the post you quoted of mine (3 inches, 40 pounds... etc) I was referring to a post where he did use the word native. Not sure what your point is, as the distinction between native and aboriginal isn't what we're talking about.

My point was not that he's a racist, but that far too often people name a minority when telling a story because they're different, or scary, or whatever. It's not relevant, and it's a habit born from racism. We do not use the words "white man" or "Caucasian" the same way. We don't, period. That point should be clear by now, it needs no further posts by me to make it clear.

Case-in-point, you question if the story would've been relevant without telling us the guy was aboriginal. Here's two versions of the story without, is the experience any different for you?

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

Earlier today I was on my way to a job interview, and was making a call on my cell phone at the LRT platform near the saddledome. Suddenly, this big dude comes up to me, puts his hands on me twice, and shouts "Are you Caucasians afraid of Native dudes?" While five of his buddies (all of them highly intoxicated), howled with laughter.

We still fully understand what happened, we even can even infer that the guy is a "native dude" without being explicitly told so.

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

Earlier today I was on my way to a job interview, and was making a call on my cell phone at the LRT platform near the saddledome. Suddenly, this big dude comes up to me, puts his hands on me twice, and shouts "Are you afraid of us?" While five of his buddies (all of them highly intoxicated), howled with laughter.

This example is probably too far an edit, but still we (should) get the EXACT same sense and impact from the story.

The reason Jets post got dismissed (only jokingly) is because he pretty clearly intended to show that "native" was part of what made the experience uncomfortable, when really, it's not relevant at all.

Just look at other posts in this thread. Notice instances where a "native" is responsible for LRT abuse, take that word out of the post, and ask yourself if it still makes sense.

[PepsiFree]

And, to further my point, notice the two posts that dismissed the original abuse video as "just another day on the train" went unquestioned, but both posts that were a dismissive of a white person being abused were immediately questioned and accused of being dismissive.

It's interesting at least.

[codfather]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

My point was not that he's a racist, but that far too often people name a minority when telling a story because they're different, or scary, or whatever. It's not relevant, and it's a habit born from racism. We do not use the words "white man" or "Caucasian" the same way. We don't, period. That point should be clear by now, it needs no further posts by me to make it clear.

I get what you're saying but my point is entirely in regards to the way Jets4Life was being accused of being racist when I would argue that those details were important in accurately retelling his story.

Now, of course you can take out the "aboriginal dude" part and the implication can be made, but describing the person as an "aboriginal dude" in context to what was said, does not make an example of "naming a minority because they're different and scary".

Your second example is just silly. Now we have no context for why Jets4Life was accosted, and no doubt anyone reading it would likely assume it was just some drunks dudes messing around. With the context, we know that it was racially motivated.

You won't get an argument from me about the other posts. The race of the individual has no bearing. In any case, I'm a lurker and don't really post, I just felt it was important to in this case because everyone seemed to have forgotten the content of Jets4Life's post and why, and this is my opinion certainly, the race of the individual was important.

[Jets4Life]

I have a challenge for PepsiFree and Ken0042.

Rather than hide behind a keyboard, and insinuate (or outright accuse others) of racism, why not see what I am like in real life.

Let's all attend a First Nations sweat lodge. If that is not convenient, let's volunteer our time at the Calgary Drop In Centre. Better yet, let's all go to Sunrise Native Addictions Centre, and drop in on the next open meeting. If that's too far, let's volunteer at Alpha House.

I happen to respect First Nations people and their culture, and if we attend any of these places (which happen to have a disproportionate amount of First Nations people), I will likely find friends of mine who will welcome us with open arms.

tPM me, and we can do something positive for the community. Or be haters, and continue to make convoluted accusations of racism. I pray that both of you will make the right choice.

PS....Happy Remembrance Day Weekend!

[PepsiFree]

To be fair, you're the one who brought up whether you were racist or not, I simply said "in a way."

It's an attitude born from a history of racism, doesn't make you a racist or a bad guy. It's just one of those things you can't ask your self, "Why do I only identify the colour of their skin when it isn't white?"

You did the very same thing talking about the old "Asian" bottle pickers. It's just something you and a lot of other people do, and it's not relevant. But I suppose you have a lot of Asian friends too.

[Jets4Life]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

To be fair, you're the one who brought up whether you were racist or not, I simply said "in a way."

It's an attitude born from a history of racism, doesn't make you a racist or a bad guy. It's just one of those things you can't ask your self, "Why do I only identify the colour of their skin when it isn't white?"

You did the very same thing talking about the old "Asian" bottle pickers. It's just something you and a lot of other people do, and it's not relevant. But I suppose you have a lot of Asian friends too.

PepsiFree, why sidestep/avoid my invitation? Just like many others, I have had problems in the past, but volunteering in the community, or going to a sweat at a Native Healing Centre makes me feel great. When most of us age, we realize it's better to love than to hate. I was hoping to make you look past your posts, and realize that you have been brainwashed by special interest groups who want to divide us. Pay no attention to those SJW's. They lead sad lives.

We are all people, and should unite, rather than looking for faults of others. I hope you can join me this weekend. I truly believe we grow as people if we put others needs who are less fortunate, ahead of our own.

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

I have a challenge for PepsiFree and Ken0042.

Rather than hide behind a keyboard, and insinuate (or outright accuse others) of racism, why not see what I am like in real life.

Let's all attend a First Nations sweat lodge. If that is not convenient, let's volunteer our time at the Calgary Drop In Centre. Better yet, let's all go to Sunrise Native Addictions Centre, and drop in on the next open meeting. If that's too far, let's volunteer at Alpha House.

I happen to respect First Nations people and their culture, and if we attend any of these places (which happen to have a disproportionate amount of First Nations people), I will likely find friends of mine who will welcome us with open arms.

tPM me, and we can do something positive for the community. Or be haters, and continue to make convoluted accusations of racism. I pray that both of you will make the right choice.

PS....Happy Remembrance Day Weekend!

If you actually do any of this I'd tag along if there was a purpose or we actually helped someone out, big believer in helping out the First Nations. I volunteer in the community and like charitable activities.

[Jets4Life]

Originally Posted by AcGold

If you actually do any of this I'd tag along if there was a purpose or we actually helped someone out, big believer in helping out the First Nations. I volunteer in the community and like charitable activities.

PM me. I can see what is happening this weekend

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

In a way, yes, since him being native is literally not relevant to the intent of your story. Unless your story is about natives, which would then make it irrelevant to include in an LRT thread. Your story was about feeling threatened on public transit.

Notice how the prime details you give are ones intended to make him sound more threatening?

"Has 3 inches on me"
"40 pounds heavier"
"Drunk"
"Surrounded by 5 of his friends"

Oh, and "Native"

One of these things is not like the other. Is it a coincidence? No. It's not unique to you though, lots of people do it (there are multiple posts here). It's just something to be mindful of and stop doing. Just ask yourself how many times you tell a story about someone white and specifically make sure to include that detail.

I took it as being a thread about racism on the LRT not scary people on the LRT. So the native part makes total sense to me. I was going to tell about the time two crack heads scared the bejeezus out of me with a knife on a c-train platform downtown. But it seemed kind of irrelevant because they were white and I'm white. And also cause I'm a freakin ninja. So I'll save that one for the general LRT freak out thread thread.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

I was hoping to make you look past your posts, and realize that you have been brainwashed by special interest groups who want to divide us. Pay no attention to those SJW's. They lead sad lives.

This is a bad way to make me think you're a good person or want to spend a day with you. You can't preach the importance of uniting and immediately start segregating people into groups that should be dismissed.

Volunteer to your heart's content this weekend, just don't do it only because you feel bad. My point was a pretty light one, that we ought to think more about why we specifically identify minorities but not white people. If you want to embrace it and work towards being conscious of it, do that. If you want to brush it off as SJW brainwashing and think "I don't need to be cognisant of how often I describe troublemakers as natives or bottle pickers as Asians when it's not relevant to my story, they're just trying to make me sound racist" then you're welcome to do that too.

This has nothing to do with special interest groups or SJWs. It's not even about being PC. If it's more comfortable for you to pass it off that way instead of even considering it, I can't stop you.

Enjoy your weekend of volunteering.

[OMG!WTF!]

The thread really is about racism on the train. Says so right in the title.

[Jets4Life]

I will definitely enjoy my weekend of volunteering. I'm not sure why you think I feel bad, because I don't. You should reconsider. In any case, have a great weekend, Pepsi.

[Jets4Life]

Originally Posted by OMG!WTF!

The thread really is about racism on the train. Says so right in the title.

It's is about racism on the ctrain.

[Cain]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

We still fully understand what happened, we even can even infer that the guy is a "native dude" without being explicitly told so.

Sorry but I agree that it is ridiculous to focus on the fact that someone used race as a descriptor in this situation. Could we infer that it is a "native dude"? Sure, we could guess. Is it indicative of racism to include in the story though? Not at all. The guy making contact in this scenario even alludes to his race. Maybe he's the real racist!

Guy alludes to and makes reference to his race in a confrontation. Stories about said confrontation should not include his race. Seems a bit crazy to me.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Cain

Guy alludes to and makes reference to his race in a confrontation. Stories about said confrontation should not include his race. Seems a bit crazy to me.

Jets4Life made it very much about him because he was upset I said he was scared, which is fair, so I was explaining my point in reference to his post. He wasn't the only one who did it or even the person who did it the most blatantly.

See posts 12, 13, 14, 15, and 21 if you'd like a better idea of what I'm talking about.

[Cain]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Jets4Life made it very much about him because he was upset I said he was scared, which is fair, so I was explaining my point in reference to his post. He wasn't the only one who did it or even the person who did it the most blatantly.

See posts 12, 13, 14, 15, and 21 if you'd like a better idea of what I'm talking about.

I actually agree with you on the other posts, but I think Jets4Life's story had a natural inclusion of race in it. The following posts mocking it were not any better than the posts you reference.

[Jets4Life]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Jets4Life made it very much about him because he was upset I said he was scared, which is fair, so I was explaining my point in reference to his post.

I would not take issue, if you said I was scared or intimidated in the scenario I described. However, you said that I was scared/intimidated by ALL Aboriginals. Anyway, I'm done commenting on this issue. Being right or wrong is not worth the headache of continuing this pointless conversation.