Being white in Philly: A Discussion of the Philadelphia Magazine article (living in, dangerous)

[FBJ]

Originally Posted by drive carephilly

I didn't think the article was focused at all on being white in Philly but rather "I'm really awkward and don't know how to interact with people who aren't just like me."

The reason I think it's racist is because of its particular focus on the behavior and living conditions of the people in a small geographical area and attributing those behaviors and conditions to their race. I mean, this is Philadelphia. Has the author never been to Kensington to see white people doing the same stuff?

As far as the overly-polite thing, like I said earlier, I'm not one for white guilt. I'm real all the time and I treat everyone the same. If people want to think I'm racist because they happen pass by me on the street when I'm having a bad day, that's their problem.

I used to manage a restaurant and this older, black dude from the neighborhood swings open the front door and stands in the doorway shouting at me from across the dining room. Mind you, it's cold out (this was last winter), and he's standing there with the door open. It's also 8pm and the restaurant is full and everyone stops eating to look at this guy. He was asking about our menu so I wave him towards me, walk over to him with a menu, ask him if he wants to sit down and he says no, he just wants take-out, so I hand him the menu and point him to the take-out counter. While I'm doing it I show him a short-cut through the server station.

5 minutes later he walks up to me outside the building and said, "I didn't appreciate that s**t one bit. The way you treated me in there. Trying to shove me out the side door like that. But that's OK. I see what you're all about. Trying to make a black man feel uncomfortable in his own neighborhood."

To be fair, I didn't really want him walking through the dining room again but it had nothing to do with him being black. It was because he didn't know how to act in public much less in a restaurant and he was clearly bothering the other patrons. But to him I'm just some racist white guy who doesn't want black people in his restaurant.

That's not really a middle class black problem, though. Here's one - I was in line behind this black guy who wanted to pay with his credit card, girl at the counter (white, college aged, maybe 21 or 22) asked to see his ID. Black dude was incredulous. (I'm gonna peg this guy as middle class but not necessarily suburban upbringing, probably 7-10 years out of college) There's this little back and forth about why he needs to show ID, she says it's because she can't see the signature, he suggests it's because he's black and that they don't ask anyone else for ID, why should he show his. He pays cash, promises not to come back. Cashier is flustered. I pull out my card. She doesn't ask for my ID. I was glad the guy was gone because he really would've flipped. She also never said hello or made eye contact with me the entire time. I really think she just wanted to go in the back and cry.

Why it stood out for me is because I get asked to show ID about half the time I use one of my cards - usually for the same reason the girl mentioned and it's because I keep my cards loose in my pocket and the signature rubs off.

I thought you were talking about me for a second-lol I was on my lunch break inside CVS and wanted to pay for a soda with my CC and when the young white girl asked to see a photo ID I did become annoyed because I felt like I being pre-judged as a criminal. It wasn;t like I was wearing a hoodie inside the store and trying to use the credit card so the fact that she didn't believe it was my card bother me. I still showed the ID but I didn't appreciate being asked for it and felt it was because I was black man.

[frankgn87]

I get asked from time to time too. Should I be annoyed too when black woman asks me? Please. Grow up

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

I get asked from time to time too. Should I be annoyed too when black girl asks me? Please. Grow up

Actually, there are assumptions made about black people, especially black men, that cause people to second-guess the motive of rituals like requesting ID whether or not it is standard procedure. I believe BillyJacc expressed his experience rather eloquently.

[Pine to Vine]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

I get asked from time to time too. Should I be annoyed too when black girl asks me?

It all depends. Let's say the world I live in was run by black people: nearly every Fortune 500 CEO is black, nearly every single governor and senator is black, all the network news anchors telling me what is important to know are black, most of the residents going into posh CC condos are black and are ushered in by uniformed white men holding doors for them, black developers are gentrifying poor white neighborhoods pushing long term white residents out, all the best stores and restaurants were owned and frequented by blacks (I could go on, but you get the picture). Let's even up the ante. Let's say an article just came out in the city's elitist magazine titled "Being Black in Philly" that discussed the "challenges" some anonymous black people feel they face living in a city with a large poor white population.

Now, let's say I walk into a store and it seems I am frequently asked for my ID by a black clerk when making the simplest purchase. While no two people will draw the same interpretation from that situation, I think it's entirely possible I might feel it is because I am white. I would never know for sure, but I could easily imagine having that doubt cross my mind.

[rraC ynnaD]

Originally Posted by Tone509

Actually, there are assumptions made about black people, especially black men, that cause people to second-guess the motive of rituals like requesting ID whether or not it is standard procedure. I believe BillyJacc expressed his experience rather eloquently.

Don't you think they've earned their reputation somewhat? I know it's not ALL ... My brother worked in the car sales business and it was standard procedure to ask for a credit check. MOST black people would get all huffy about it ... long story short, without first doing the credit check, he would have wasted a lot of time on a high percentage of black people. And this was in the suburbs, btw.

[FBJ]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

I get asked from time to time too. Should I be annoyed too when black girl asks me? Please. Grow up

My case is a little different because I;m a black man instead of a black woman. Black men are seen the most on the news as criminals not black woman so it's easier for me to think I am being grouped in with all the other black criminals in the city

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by rraC ynnaD

Don't you think they've earned their reputation somewhat?

No.

[phillies2011]

Originally Posted by rraC ynnaD

Don't you think they've earned their reputation somewhat?

No. You are certainly creating a reputation for yourself though.

[FBJ]

I just read the article and I see nothing controversial about it

To sum the article, whites are having a hard time living near ghetto blacks in the city of Philadelphia. And why shouldn't a white person feel concerned when they enter the area of 19th and Diamond? I am a tall black man and want no parts of North Philly or any other ghetto in this city.

[rraC ynnaD]

Originally Posted by phillies2011

No. You are certainly creating a reputation for yourself though.

As if I care what YOU think? I'm just repeating the facts.