Take a Picture, it’ll last longer – A Rant
I always feel like, somebody’s watching me!
But it really depends on where I go, as I go about our warm town and its outlying suburbs. Ironically, I know people who won’t even go downtown in Milwaukee, because of who else they think might be there (or not). I go where I need to go, but often, when I go where I am not expected, well…it grips my goat.
Milwaukee is a big, funny place, at times, especially for my black self. I get that people are tired of discussions about Race, Racism and Prejudice; I am as well. Yet, there is no running from my blackness, especially when I face people who are uncomfortable with it. Because this county, proper, is so big, you can be in West Allis and feel like you are in Milwaukee. Apart from the State Fair fiasco, a year or two ago, I don’t have many pre-conceived notions of W.A. Still, I am especially afraid of being pulled over out there, or anywhere hostile, so I just smile and wave at Police Officers, when they are near — in hopes of avoiding being pulled over for a DWB (Driving While Black). David Harris writes, during “Each one of those stops, for me, had nothing to do with breaking the law. It had to do with who I was. . . . It’s almost like somebody pulls your pants down around your ankles. You’re standing there nude, but you’ve got to act like there’s nothing happening.”
Yes, I have been pulled over for DWB’s, in and around Milwaukee, usually under the guise of something else, that after “going back to their car,” Police officers return to me with nothing else. When I’ve seen these officers first, they generally appear disgusted by my friendy willingness to engage and they opt to go another way, out of my way.
Anyway, it does get old getting glowered at, especially when I was invited to be in the city. I consider myself very non-threatening in my appearance and I do smile from time to time, especially when a smile is hurled my way. But here, in West Allis, for this Google Docs’ training, I just keep getting looks. When I return the volly, people hurriedly look away, as if they were not looking. Black people are everywhere, and yet it still seems, that people are surprised to see me. No, I am not paranoid. I am observant.
It’s 2013. It just get’s old. Stop starring. I’m just trying to live, work, learn, and get in the black – for good.
