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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]stay clear of her. The irony is that only the federal government would hire such an idiot, she's lucky to be employed[/quote]

I've worked in the federal government for years.  You see idiots all the time of both races.  I do recall telling some of my afro american co workers that the  food they were eating smelled good and asked where they got it?  I was just trying to be friendly.  I was told by one afro woman  "We got it in a neighborhood you don't want to be seen in"  (Meaning because I am white).   I just walked away.  What if I said "My husband and I had dinner at x and x country club in McClean last night" when asked.   And then said to a afro person  "not a neighborhood you want to be found in".   Wouldn't go over too well.

I get sick of the whole thing.   Just try to treat all with respect.[/quote]

[b]She could've just meant that the neighborhood was dangerous. Not you as a "white" person, but you as a person in general (who values your safety). [/b]
BTW, it's African American. [/quote]

That's their point, you wouldn't feel "safe" because you are minority in their neighborhood.  You feel unsafe merely by becoming a minority.  You equate a black neighborhood as [i]automatically [/i] being unsafe.[/quote]

Uhmmmm, no. I'm black and was raised in the projects of DC. My mother still lives in a bad area. If I were to buy something to eat from a restaurant near her house, I might include that warning to those who aren't of the "raised in a poor dangerous area and know how to handle themselves" ilk. Could be white, black, brown, etc.

The country club scenario is about possible discrimination/racism; the "this place is in the hood, so be careful" thing is different. Like it or not, some places in the DC area are dangerous as hell and you shouldn't walk in blinded to the truth. [/quote]

I was the PP who asked about the food to a colleague.   I didn't get the sense that the response made by the woman was a warning out of concern for my safety.  SHe and her friends laughed when she said it.  There wasn't a tone of concern for my safety, more as if they had made a joke.  THat was the last time I spoke much to her or paid her a compliment.  I just figured I couldn't win.  This happened to me more than once in my government agency.  After all.. who am I?  Just some dumb surburban white chick who has had it all!![/quote]

Not defending her and maybe she was being cruel, but I'm telling you that if I made that comment to a coworker, I would say it in a joking way too.

In all honestly, many people from the suburbs (all races included) would look vulnerable as hell in a bad neighborhood. Though I was raised in tough surroundings, my children are suburban kids. It's amazing how they have such a different and more trusting (some might even say naive) look about life and people.

In any event, I'm sorry this happened. Was just trying to show you how this comment might not have the negative intent that you originally believed. [/quote]

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