Casual Racism

I sat down in the ‘very exclusive’, not exclusive at all Slow Lounge at the airport. Their coffee, tasty, excites me a little more than the croissants which are small enough to drive a wedge and balance a table and hard enough to crack the skull of a small kitten. Please don’t believe that I have tried this, kittens are fast and this would mean that I would have to let go of the croissant.

A croissant can be harder than a bouncer from Brakpan, it’s still better than any other carbohydrate on the planet. No, I haven’t tried them all, that fact like many others is unfounded.

I sat down with my coffee paid in full through bank fees. When I am in a public place, I do whatever I can to avoid conversation, I am, for the most part, someone who likes to mind his own business. A childhood on the East Rand has taught me that eye contact is going to lead to a black eye or mouth kiss, the risk is not nearly worth the reward, especially in Boksburg, where girls may look like a princess under the veil of UV and a club thumping Celine Dion remix, with only sunlight revealing a repugnant unvoiced face that looks like a set of ballerina toes.

In Boksburg, we throw bass at any music and or faces that are better suited for the pirouette than pictures.

I sat down, with my coffee and a man made eye contact, I removed my ear phones, I can’t be sure what I was listening to at the time, but I can assure you it was probably very hip. I am and always have been before my time with music. I was listening to Sepultura way before they were big in Benoni.

A man turned to me, he was irritated. I had obviously not seen what went down before, but I assumed he was either a lawyer or a mormon, these are the only people that wear suits and aren’t attending a funeral anymore. He mouthed something to me, and with the disdain of a four year old being removed from a playground I removed my earphones. He repeated his sentiment.

“These blacks, eh!?” — Him

“Are you actually kidding me?” — Me

After the fact, I wish I was harsher. Hindsight.

He gave me a look that can only be described as disappointed, I gave him a look that can only be described as , ‘you’re a giant prick!’ and moved on to another seat and listen to my very cool, very new music. I was so disappointed, that an educated man, took the time to speak to a stranger and be blatantly racist. I can go on about what a prick this guy was but we all know he is and there are millions out there like him.

But then as I washed my face before my pre-flight and after my bank fees infused coffee passed through me, another realisation hit me. This had happened before. People have often turned to me, in there time of need, looking for reassurance from a like-minded asshole.

I am white and weigh way over 100Kg. I am just about 6ft and have the weathered face of old leather wallet.

It hit me like a ton of bricks.

I have the face of a casual racist.

DCMYF

*I’m under no illusion that racism, whether blatant or casual forms part of the most fundamental issues facing this country today. I hope that this piece enlightens people that under no circumstance, is it okay. Ever.