First note: I don't have issues with other races. Half the guys in my dojo are black. A high percentage of our senior instructors, when we have seminars, are Cuban and Puerto Rican from Miami. In my previous school, the senior instructors were Japanese. I spent a long time in the Navy, and now work in defense contract stuff; work with people from multiple races, no issues.
Second note: There's a difference between people walking in the same area, and people taking every single turn you take. Now, if going between a major venue and the nearest parking garage, this could happen and be quite benign. There are plenty of variables that could be factored into whether the situation would seem threatening or not.
Third note: It's good to avoid general brawls. When LE shows up, there are bound to be conflicting witness statements all over the place, and odds are that everybody will be charged. Drawing a weapon in a neighborhood melee will be harder to defend than drawing a weapon against a mugger.
Fourth note: For all the talk of evasion and avoidance, bear in mind that it's not always feasible. There are forum members with physical disabilities who will virtually never be able to evade. No doubt there are other forum members who have loved ones that would serve as anchors (small kids, injured relatives, elderly relatives) and prevent effective evasion.
Fifth note: For many of these folks, a physical confrontation is right out (one friend of mine would probably be crippled for life if you hit him - long term damage from a car accident). Some of us have the strength, size, or training to go hands-on if need be; many do not.
Last note: In any case where you do anything that could be construed as threatening, you should be able to clearly state what you perceived as a threat to yourself, and why your response options were limited.
Second note: There's a difference between people walking in the same area, and people taking every single turn you take. Now, if going between a major venue and the nearest parking garage, this could happen and be quite benign. There are plenty of variables that could be factored into whether the situation would seem threatening or not.
Third note: It's good to avoid general brawls. When LE shows up, there are bound to be conflicting witness statements all over the place, and odds are that everybody will be charged. Drawing a weapon in a neighborhood melee will be harder to defend than drawing a weapon against a mugger.
Fourth note: For all the talk of evasion and avoidance, bear in mind that it's not always feasible. There are forum members with physical disabilities who will virtually never be able to evade. No doubt there are other forum members who have loved ones that would serve as anchors (small kids, injured relatives, elderly relatives) and prevent effective evasion.
Fifth note: For many of these folks, a physical confrontation is right out (one friend of mine would probably be crippled for life if you hit him - long term damage from a car accident). Some of us have the strength, size, or training to go hands-on if need be; many do not.
Last note: In any case where you do anything that could be construed as threatening, you should be able to clearly state what you perceived as a threat to yourself, and why your response options were limited.