[Janis C.]

Hi Raul, I have been married to a Black man for over 20 years and have had many interesting experiences with the Black community as a result. I believe you are misinterpreting their expressions, as a rule. Some people, of course, are just grumpy, but I believe what you are looking at is often what I would call a ‘closed’ face. Many people tend to keep their expressions neutral when in public or insecure situations, and it would be easy to interpret a lack of a friendly look as a mean look. (If the mean looks you see are coming from some lowlifes — whatever their color — you see as you drive through their neighborhood, these are probably genuine mean looks!) Raul, next time you have the opportunity and it’s appropriate, try being the friendly one. If you’re being genuine, you’ll probably be surprised at the change in a person’s face. What you give is what you get back (remember how their expressions affected your feelings?) I’m always astonished, considering the history Black people have with Whites, at how friendly and warm the majority of Black people have been to me.

User Detail :  

Name : Janis C., Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 50, City : Long Beach, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : copy editor, 

[Janis C.]

I don’t know if it’s worse out there (I’m from California), but I too have had to deal with rude treatment. My husband is Black and he says that Black people have a chip on their shoulder about doing anything that smacks of servitude, and unfortunately, that extends to many employment positions. It’s sad, but my husband does not like to patronize Black establishments for that very reason. When my husband has to deal with government workers or the bank, he tries to maneuver himself so that he is helped by a White person. He says they will bend over backward helping him. I’ve noticed that lately there are more Black restaurants that practice good customer service and I enjoy going back. Hopefully, that’s a trend. By the way, in other situations such as church, family, etc., I’ve never had the same problem — nothing but warmth! One more thing before I go: Have you ever thought if you were Black, what kind of Black person you would be? It’s not very comfortable when people seem to dislike and mistreat you for something that’s not your fault, is it?

User Detail :  

Name : Janis C., Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 50, City : Long Beach, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : copy editor, 

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