Archive for the ‘racism’ tag

Diagnois: Hispanophobia

“I don’t see many white people around here.”

The remark didn’t carry a tinge of spite or racism; it was simply an honest observation.

As I waited for my cheeseburger in a fast food restaurant, I struck up a conversation with a Mexican girl who appeared to be in her early 20s. I was in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood – a short walk away from boqueen’s palace.

Little Village is a predominately Mexican neighborhood. Census records indicate that 83% of residents are Hispanic and nearly 13% are black. White people are an anomaly, comprising less than four percent of population of the borough.

I laughed at the girl’s comment, acknowledging my unusual status as a minority. I explained that I was spending the weekend at my girlfriend’s apartment. As she awkwardly chuckled in response, it became clear that she was slightly disappointed. Apparently, the girl was attempting to flirt with me – and I can’t blame her.

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Scenes From a Moroccan Restaurant

Bottle of red, bottles of Lite…

Last week, boqueen and I met up with four of her friends for dinner at a Moroccan restaurant.  I was delighted to find out about the restaurant’s “BYO” policy, which means that we would be allowed to bring our own booze of choice.  As an ardent alcoholic, I realized that we’d potentially save hundreds of dollars on drinks. 

The restaurant was located in the Lakeview neighborhood, an area rife with yuppies.  I briefly considered trying to blend in by getting dressed up and bringing import beer.  But I am a simple man, comfortable sipping cheap domestic beer while lounging in a black t-shirt and Chuck Taylors.  I decided to keep it classy by eschewing my preference of cans of Miller Lite in favor of bottles of Miller Lite. 

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The case for food desegregation

As Americans, we’ve come a long way in breaking the ties to our racist past, but there still is much work to be done.  While we do have a black President, racism, both subtle and overt, is still prevalant.  Nowhere is this more evident that at the supermarket.

Stroll through the aisles of any chain supermarket is the United States – Jewels, Dominick’s, Kroger, HyVee, it doesn’t matter – you’re bound to find certain products segregated from the rest in an “ethnic food” aisle. 

The ethnic food aisle is usually a collection of foods that are far from foreign to most Americans.  Ingredients for Mexican, Asian and Italian cuisine will often find a home in the ethnic food aisle.  Each category is neatly compartmentalized into a group of shelves, touching each other but far away from the more traditional American foods. 

This is the supermarket equivalent of the “back of the bus.” 

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Blagojevich’s Senate pick has nothing to do with race

Today, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (D-Shit’s Creek) selected former Attorney General Roland Burris (D-Special Interests) to occupy the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama (D-Hyde Park).

The embattled governor’s move took a great deal of chutzpah.  On December 9, Blagojevich was arrested by federal agents for accusations of corruption, including attempting to sell Obama’s seat to the highest bidder.  In the subsequent weeks, a letter signed by all 50 senate democrats was sent to Blagojevich, requesting that he step down, allowing his successor to appoint Obama’s successor. They promised to exercise their constitutional authority to prevent the replacement from serving.  Secretary of State Jesse White (D-Tumblers) vowed that he would block a Blagojevich pick, potentially preventing the person from serving. 

Much has been made about Burris’ race.  Burris is a black man and Congress is comprised of predominately old white men.  He would be the lone black senator. 

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