Hi everyone,

I wasn't sure how to pull this together, because I'm thinking about experiences I have had as a black woman, and as a blind one.

I take paratransit, known here as Access Services, home from work. Basically, it's a curb to curb cab service (or van) for a very small fee.

Twice I have ridden with passengers who have not wanted to sit by me, either because I'm black, or blind, or both. The most recent incident was today. I was in a van, and a woman got in. She sat down next to me, all the while talking to someone outside the van. All at once, after what was a halfhearted attempt at trying to fasten her seat belt, I heard the driver put down a middle seat. After we took off, I reached over to see if there was anything wrong with the belt. There wasn't; it moved quite easily.

That has happened to me before in an Access vehicle.

When I rode the bus, there was a driver who refused to speak to me. He never told me if there was a seat in front, or anywhere, for that matter, but he spoke to a blind man who was not black. They had a rather animated conversation in fact.

At the risk of sounding shallow, using an old cliche, I have friends of all races and ethnicities. I went to school with predominantly white kids of necessity. I had to go where the resources for blind kids were. I'm glad I did. I think it taught me a lot about all kinds of people, and how dull my life would be had I not met so many different types.

But I have also had several experiences of people who either thought I couldn't possibly help them because I'm blind, or who simply refused to interact with me, sit by me, you name it, for the same reason.

If anyone cares to share experiences from any point of view, I welcome them, and thank you all for letting me rant.

Debbie

True, but we don't know that it was racism either, so we can't really say. I just know from personal experience that racism is still a huge problem.

It is a problem, yes. I am just not willing to always jump to conclusions when obvious racism is readily available.

Wow! I always wanted to have a multi page thread! :wink:

I did say I welcomed other people's experiences, and I thank those of you who have provided them .

I will stick by my belief that all the incidents were racially motivated. I was in a van when the white woman moved. How did I know she was white? She was speaking Russian. How do I know that? Because there are lots of Russians living in the area. Don't know any black folks who speak Russian, and no English at all.

The mother of my school friend who didn't want me to come to her house again was definitely racist.

I have lived all my life as a blind woman, and if you asked anyone who knows me they would tell you that I am not, nor have I ever been a victim; I have no trouble speaking up for myself or taking action. I have grown up with people of all races and ethnicities, and as I said in my first post, am glad I did.

But, as I said, I also grew up believing that white was better. And by the way, the bus driver who refused to speak to me was from the South. I was born in Biloxi Mississippi. My uncle was a Baptist minister there. One Sunday morning, he was walking to a visiting church when he was accosted by a KKK jerk who told him if he set one foot on his land, my uncle was a dead nigger.

I refuse to go back to the place of feeling inferior because of my color, and believe me, it wasn't what I learned at home. You don't have to be sighted to recognize racism. .

These incidents and lots more like them, were racially motivated.

Debbie

Edited June 18, 200917 yr by serenity55

Wow! I always wanted to have a multi page thread! :wink2:

I did say I welcomed other people's experiences, and I thank those of you who have provided them .

I will stick by my belief that all the incidents were racially motivated. I was in a van when the white woman moved. How did I know she was white? She was speaking Russian. How do I know that? Because there are lots of Russians living in the area. Don't know any black folks who speak Russian, and no English at all.

The mother of my school friend who didn't want me to come to her house again was definitely racist.

I have lived all my life as a blind woman, and if you asked anyone who knows me they would tell you that I am not, nor have I ever been a victim; I have no trouble speaking up for myself or taking action. I have grown up with people of all races and ethnicities, and as I said in my first post, am glad I did.

But, as I said, I also grew up believing that white was better. And by the way, the bus driver who refused to speak to me was from the South. I was born in Biloxi Mississippi. My uncle was a Baptist minister there. One Sunday morning, he was walking to a visiting church when he was accosted by a KKK jerk who told him if he set one foot on his land, my uncle was a dead nigger

I refuse to go back to the place of feeling inferior because of my color, and believe me, it wasn't what I learned at home. You don't have to be sighted to recognize racism. .

These incidents and lots more like them, were racially motivated.

Debbie

Thanks for clarifying, Debbie. If it was your opinion that the van incidents were racial, then they were. None of us were there, so we have to go by what you say. I don't think there's any harm in anybody questioning if you might have misconstrued that, do you?

Oh, almost forgot to add: There is no need for personal attacks. Please stop now and get back on topic.

Edited June 17, 200917 yr by plain

Serenity,

Throwing the whole Russian thing into the mix threw a whole other cup of flour in the batter! So who knows what the problem was. Are any of us strong enought to ask? I'm not.

I just brought up the weight issue as I was very involved with fat acceptance groups for a while and still feel strongly about them but just couldn't be strong enough to be that accepting of myself as a fat person. But I belive in fighting for the rights of fat people. In those FA groups you have people of all sexes, races, religions and sexual preference. Also in fat acceptance you don't have to be fat some people just find it something they feel strongly about and there are others that have a variety of eating disorders whether fat or thin or whatever.

I just hope I didn't make you feel that I was ignoring your feelings about it being a race issue as I know no matter where we live race discrimination is still a real issue. Take care, Nancy.

Thank you, Nancy. No I understood exactly where you were coming from.

One day I was on a bus, and a drunk sat next to me. I was in the back (hahaha!) and this guy says in a really loud voice, "There sure are a lot of fat people on this bus today!"

Since he was sitting next to me, I knew exactly who he was talking about.

There was a group I belonged to in Los Angeles called Fat Sisters Organizing Los Angeles. (Fatso LA.) It lasted for a few years, and started me on the road to accepting myself.

Debbie

Plain, I don't have a problem with anyone questioning, but I don't want anyone to think that my blindness has anything to do with my ability to recognize racism, or that I go around looking for it

Debbie.

Plain, I don't have a problem with anyone questioning, but I don't want anyone to think that my blindness has anything to do with my ability to recognize racism, or that I go around looking for it

Debbie.

Cool. Now, next time hit 'em across the face and say "Oops, sorry....I'm blind, ya know".

Thanks plain. That was getting WAY out of hand, not to mention it was totally unnecessary.

Thanks plain. That was getting WAY out of hand, not to mention it was totally unnecessary.

Yes, it was.

LOL at Plain! :wink2:

Yes it was. I'm in total agreement with that. Hey Beth, look at that! We do agree on something!!! Whoo hoo.

So we both agree you were out of control last night. COOL! I'm glad you saw the err of your ways. That IS the first step, after all. :wink2:

I accept your apology.

Awww, you don't have to be so sweet and generous with me. Everyone knows who started the negative rant. But gosh I appreciate you accepting my apology. Indicative of your kind, sweet spirit. *warm, fuzzy hugs to you* :wink2:

Awww, you don't have to be so sweet and generous with me. Everyone knows who started the negative rant. But gosh I appreciate you accepting my apology. Indicative of your kind, sweet spirit. *warm, fuzzy hugs to you* :wink2:

I can be sweet and generous, even with you. And I forgive you for starting the negative rant. Maybe you were having a bad night. Today is a new day, and life is too short.

You and your sense of humor and your sense of fairness. Keep it coming. I know everyone is enjoying this. :wink2:

Group Hug.:blushing: