01.05
In That 2009 Shit | Tags: food, hidden racism, pescatarian, racism, shopping, vegetarian, wtf
You be the judge.
I’ve been known to have my racist radar set to high. I admit I can’t wait to call someone out on their bigoted views or racism ideologies. But sometimes I have to step back and ask myself if something is indeed racist, or am I being extra sensitive. The Tom Wars will be running a series of Hidden Racism true life stories where you’ll be the judge.
While driving past a mall the other day, I realized I was hungry. All malls have food courts, so I decided to stop in the mall to grab a bite to eat. The problem with that is, I have a very weird diet. I’m a pescatarian (I only eat fish and vegetables) so finding something to eat while on the run is often difficult. This mall trip proved to be more difficult than most. I perused the different eateries in the food court and saw the usual suspects, McDonalds, Popeyes, Boardwalk Fries, etc. I knew I couldn’t get anything from those spots. Of course McDonald’s has Filet O’Fish, but I’m pretty sure that’s not actual fish. More than likely, it’s seasoned muskrat so there’s no way I was going to Mickey Ds. There were only two options as I saw it, Subway (Tuna sandwich or a veggie sandwich) or this Chinese restaurant. I thought hard about it and decided to go with the Chinese.
When I got to the counter, the lady asked me what I wanted. There wasn’t much there I could order so I decided to get the veggie stir fry which consisted of zuchini, mushrooms, baby corn and brocolli and came with cabbage on the side. When I placed my order, the lady behind the counter snickered. We both gave each other odd looks and she said, “You sure you don’t want to try to chicken?” I paused. My racist radar went off. BOGEY, TWELVE O’CLOCK! I thought to myself. I didn’t say anything though. I just replied, “No, I’ll just have the stir fry please.”
Unfortunately, it doesn’t end there. The lady grabbed a styrofoam container, then turned back around and said, “You SURE you don’t want chicken? We have teriyaki, blackened…” I cut her off and said, “No, I just want the vegetarian platter.”
As she placed the food in my container, she kept stating the different types of chicken they make “… General Tsos, sesame chicken…” I tried to remain cool because I thought perhaps I was being overly sensitive. She just kept talking about the different types of chickens “orange chicken, chicken and broccoli…” as she fixed my stir fry dish.
At the cash register, the lady finally gave in. She rang up my order, and asked if I wanted anything to drink. I replied, “Just a spring water please.” She shot me another strange look as she took my money and gave me my change.
As I was beginning to walk away the lady said, “You sure you don’t want no fruit punch?” Is it me, or did this lady offer me Chicken and Kool Aid?
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12 Responses.
had the chinabish just mentioned the chicken once, i’d have thought, that she was just trying to make a sale, but damn she didnt mention broccoli beef, or peking duck but named every chinese chicken recipe they had? That my dear brother is RACIST. Thats why all chinese people smell like ginger and garlic!!! It spews from their pores like miniscule volcanoes.
oh btw, NOT ALL BLACK PEOPLE ARE ADDICTED TO FRIED CHICKEN!! rme
On November 4th, 2008, at approximately 945pm, I walked into the nearest Popeye’s to order some chicken and wash it down with a 40 ounce of Olde English. At the end of my meal, I left a $5 tip on the counter and asked to speak to the manager. I informed him that black people would not be eating at this establishment or chain anymore so he should expect depressed sales. I drive by the Popeyes (Pope Yes) every Tuesday…..I haven’t seen a black person in line since. The moral of the story is that while change is hard to accept, chicken is even harder.
it could have been racist as jax…or u could be girlin.
ppl don’t eat healthy these days. so it could have been a genuine case of, omg, u want the healthy stuff and water and that’s it.
annnnnd it could have been that clearly ur no 5’6 130lbs lbs dude. it may have been sincere shock that a dude ur stature would come and request an elle-magazine-reading model’s meal. so, mr. pescatarian. take a chill pill and go eat some veggies.
I must admit that my propensity to want to “hang 8″ in Chinese women makes me less than acutely aware of any occurring racism whether explicit or implied.
That being said, this was obviously an ignorance-drenched attempt @ humor. What she knows of black culture would likely not fill a thimble.
Next time, pull your d*%k out, lay it on the counter and proudly proclaim “THIS stereotype IS true!”
You hear that Angela?…”hang 8″
holl3r
It just ONCE again reflects the direct correlation of racism and low i.q. “You SURE you dont want chicken?” i.e., “You dont SOUND black on the phone. You’re so articulate” “You have GOOD hair” “Why doesnt your daughter try drums or horn instead of guitar lessons?”… Your radar is on point. High is never a bad thing.
i woulda bought the chicken then threw it at her.
LMAO Mr Rufus
I just tried that and the small woman at the counter of Hawaiian Bar-B-Que told me they don’t sell burritos.
I think deep down you really wanted the chicken and because you feel soooooo guilty deep within your soul….you are trying to flip the situation around as an act of racism. You dirty dog you….lol. Hey “That One”….EAT THE CHICKEN ANNA MAE!
Sorry to inform you, but I would not call your experience racist. A worm living in horsehradish thinks that the world is horsehradish…what else do they know? What I am trying to say is that she is basing her views on her experiences. I too enjoy a pescatarian diet. I get that type of reaction more from familiar faces than others. I am catergorized as wierd and non-black because I do not indulge on the flesh of chickens (or mammals). Then, to top it off, I am super-peculiar when I tell people that I do not drink milk and that I would rather have soy milk. Continue to be patient with those who where left behind…Hopefully, they will catch up soon.