Sometimes this country sneaks up on you. Sometimes no matter how much you want to keep something out of your life, it still finds a way to sneak in and reveal itself. I don't know, maybe part of it comes from living in the south, being inundated with attitudes that still exist even when everyone wants them gone.
Understand something here -- the absolute last thing in this world that I'd ever want to be thought of is a racist. The very idea of it bothers me deep down inside my soul. But the sad thing is that sometimes it just slips. Sometimes you say things without even thinking. You don't even realize that certain ideas are a part of your consciousness. But when it's out, there's no putting it back. You can't un-say a slur. You can't take back prejudice.
Take this morning -- Out of bed late, rushing out the door pulling shirtsleeves over your fingers and driving at lightspeed across the interstate to get to work on time. No time to think. No time for breakfast. No time to brew a pot of coffee on your way out.
But where do you stop? What's the fastest way to get coffee when you're racing to get to work before the boss starts coming down on you for showing up late?
In this town, that answer is easy: Dunkin Donuts. It's on the way, they mix in cream and sugar for you, and they understand what it means when you check your watch every ten seconds while you're in line. It's not the best java in freakville, but it's certainly the quickest fix for the money.
The thing about it though is that once you've been to the same fast-food place for a certain period of time you start to get a feel for the people who work there. Or don't work, as the case may be. Fast food jobs don't always attract the most dedicated of employees; but there's STILL nothing worse than going somwehere when you're in a serious hurry and realizing once you get inside that you're stuck dealing with the lazy crew.
Maybe that's what got into my head this morning. Maybe that was the cause. Because the very moment I stepped into Dunkin' Donuts it was instantly clear that everyone behind the counter was Hindu. The skin tones, the accents -- it was all right there to see.
And before I even realized what I was doing, I blurted out the first thought that came into my mind:
Understand something here -- the absolute last thing in this world that I'd ever want to be thought of is a racist. The very idea of it bothers me deep down inside my soul. But the sad thing is that sometimes it just slips. Sometimes you say things without even thinking. You don't even realize that certain ideas are a part of your consciousness. But when it's out, there's no putting it back. You can't un-say a slur. You can't take back prejudice.
Take this morning -- Out of bed late, rushing out the door pulling shirtsleeves over your fingers and driving at lightspeed across the interstate to get to work on time. No time to think. No time for breakfast. No time to brew a pot of coffee on your way out.
But you need that cup of joe.Late or not, you gotta have that caffiene. Your head is pounding from last night's happy hour and there's no way you'll ever be able to deal with the 120 thirteen year-olds that fill up your day without at least a little bit of help.
But where do you stop? What's the fastest way to get coffee when you're racing to get to work before the boss starts coming down on you for showing up late?
In this town, that answer is easy: Dunkin Donuts. It's on the way, they mix in cream and sugar for you, and they understand what it means when you check your watch every ten seconds while you're in line. It's not the best java in freakville, but it's certainly the quickest fix for the money.
The thing about it though is that once you've been to the same fast-food place for a certain period of time you start to get a feel for the people who work there. Or don't work, as the case may be. Fast food jobs don't always attract the most dedicated of employees; but there's STILL nothing worse than going somwehere when you're in a serious hurry and realizing once you get inside that you're stuck dealing with the lazy crew.
Maybe that's what got into my head this morning. Maybe that was the cause. Because the very moment I stepped into Dunkin' Donuts it was instantly clear that everyone behind the counter was Hindu. The skin tones, the accents -- it was all right there to see.
And before I even realized what I was doing, I blurted out the first thought that came into my mind:
"Thank God the white people aren't working today!!"
[Listening to: Dangerdoom, "Bada Bing"]
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