Someone on a message board I frequent (actually, the only message board I’ve ever frequented, thankfully, because it is addictive) posted:
“I also like to make eye contact with anyone who isn’t white and smile, to show them that I am not racist, all the while probably showing this and making them think otherwise. I feel that it is up to me to prove to minorities, that not all white ppl are bad.”
Of course, that’s when I fell in love with her. Because I do this. “Hi, fellow walking toward me! You are African-American! Let me make up for centuries of oppression with this smile.” I notice it because I’ll go all day only smiling at people of color and the disabled. Oh, and anyone in Muslim headgear. Fellow Caucasians don’t get the smile. Screw them.
(Of course, this woman is in Canada, so I don’t suppose she smiles at African-Americans, but at African-Canadians. Afradians?)
Anyway, I thought I’d ask my cubemate, Master Mason Gilbert, an African-American, if he ever notices white people randomly smiling at him, and if it reassures him that we aren’t all bad. And of course, no. He does notice that there’s a smile exchanged between those of color when they meet in a crowd of colorless people. He notices it happens more often in the South. Oh, and he does notice when he dresses down in his “Hood” clothing – those white smiles? They dry right up.
Of course, earlier that same day I said Ed is Oriental and he corrected me, nicely. (He’s Asian. People are Aisian, things are Oriental. I know this.) Got to remember to give Ed that special smile I reserve for people of color.
9 responses to “I See Color”
African-Canadians. Afradians?Classic – seriously – made me smile first thing this morning. Apaprently I needed that.
I do that, too. But I think I only do it for the ones who are hot. 🙂
I’m going to start using “Afradians.” I was on a message board the other day where someone said we need to do away with “ricism.” Is that prejudice against rice?
Afradians – I think you’ve started something there!
Raquita – Whew, I said this morning, this didn’t piss off Raquita.Jenny – well, that’s just look-ist of you. Don’t ugly people need a smille too?Amy and Sue – Huh. A google search didn’t turn anything up. I might have started it. Does anyone actually know any Afradians?
Oh you are so funny! Thanks for always puttin’ it out there!
I thought “ricism” was prejudice against orientals- er- asians.Ed, any thoughts?
Okay, slightly different over here – but I smile at everyone. But then I freak out when I’ve smiled at someone not-pasty (as one of my friends said, I’m the pastiest white woman she’s ever seen) because I’m afraid they might think I’m being weird towards them because they’re not-pasty. I’m an idiot.
Erin, given how I feel right now for opening my mouth to Gary’s family, your thanks for putting it out there is very timely. Thank you.Robin – That’s only brown ricism.Jhianna – According to the Master Mason, you are not an idiot, you are a nice lady who smiles. Now of course, he’s suspicious when any pasties smile at him.