I guess I'll interject also...might be a little long....
Firstly, about the video. I currently don't CCW as I haven't purchased my gun yet, although I've had my permit for about 8 years. I've always owned "functional" guns (Varmint Plinker .22, and Thompson Center for Varmints). Never saw the need, but I've decided to for a couple reasons. Firstly, because "you never know", and secondly, simply because I have a right to.
Personally, I think the guy that got the beat down brought it upon himself. However, I think the BG was looking to swat someone. Mostly because he'd probably been dealing with GM's BS all frigging day. The problem with the video is, we don't see her actually enter the store - so we don't know why she was acting the way she did. Either way, looked like she thought she was entitled to her Pizza first. "Victim" was on the phone, and made a comment to whomever he was talking to about her beligerant activity. (there IS volume with the clip if you turn it way up. He said something that pissed her off) That was his first mistake and prompted her personal attention to him - which I believe was intentional. I'm never in such a rush, I would insult a beligerant person in an attempt to get them to the back of the line.
His second mistake was "stepping" to her, and then stepping to BG and letting his guard down. That was simply stupid. He knew he was going to get is @$$ beat at that point I think... As did everyone else. I would have been unable to do anything in that situation, other than possibly try to reason with the guy. I have no pepper spray or gun (both problems will be rectified shortly).
Black Vs. White
Zulu - I'm actually surprised by your surprise! I thought that was common knowledge...
I would like to preface by saying, all of this is normal conversation for me. Some of it may come off sounding bad, as I'm sometimes not good at wording things. I just say it like I see it. These comments are based soley on my personal experiences, and experiences of close friends. When I use the word "they or them", I don't mean it in a bad way - likewise when I use the word "we or us". There is really no other way to say it...
Well, I'm a white guy, from a very small town. I get uncomfortable around large groups of CERTAIN LOOKING blacks for several reasons. Perhaps I should preface by saying, I work in corporate america, side by side with just about every race. I had an Indian (not native american) roomate, and am good friends with gammot of races, from asian to black.
Reason one - from my experiences, large groups of blacks (I'm talking about late teens, early 20's) can get somewhat unruly. In college for instance, for some reason, the black students were always VERY loud in the cafeteria. Screaming, jumping up on the tables, and just being very animated in conversation. Not bothering anyone else, other than the noise. This behavior got the the point where cafeteria staff had to actually speak to these students. Graduating from a small school with only two black students, this was somewhat of a shock to me. I never felt threatened by them however.
Blacks stick together. This is the sad part of being a white person. Blacks, traditionally, stick up for one another far more from whites - I think due to having to defend themselves constantly. I truly believe had that pizza parlor situation been completely reversed, race wise, the BG would have gotten his @$$ stomped by the other patrons... This same stick togetherness is the same reason, a small group of blacks is intimidating to a single white guy. If there is an altercation with one of them, you can count on getting your rear end beat down by all of them. White people, even with each other, will typically let the two that are having the problem duke it out, and once there is an obvious winner, they would normall just break them up, this opinion excludes "punks" who are out just looking to hurt people.
I've experienced this same phenomena with the Puerto Ricans in our area. Not equating the two races, only comparing minorities in a given community. This is actually interesting. A church group brought in an underprivileged Puerto Rican extended family to our town of 5000 conservative white people. At first, due to ignorance, etc., they were not really accepted. They got on their feet, started living a life, and the children grew and so on... Anyway, I'm not sure what happened. All of the sudden they turned into a bunch of "gang-bangers", wearing the "do-rags" and the down coats and having the attitudes. None of them ever left our town for college or anything. They just suddenly turned "ghetto". In a town of 5000, with one stoplight. There isn't really much gang activity - or a ghetto or projects.
To make a long story, even longer, they were out at the bars a couple weekends ago. Every 10-20 minutes there was an altercation that almost led to a fight (you know, the shoving etc.). One of them was all juiced up on roids, looking to fight. Another was antagonizing people so the juicer could "have his back". The reason for all the altercations? I believe paranoia. Every time someone even looked at them, said anything, or bumped into them, at least one of them thought they were being "dissed". It was a crowded bar, relax, have a good time, occasionally people might bump into you. There were a couple punks there that started in with them for one reason or another. But many times it was out of their need for "respect", which I think is a bunch of BS. Act in a respectful manner, and you will recieve it. You can't demand it. I ended up leaving. I didn't know which one of them had guns or knives, and didn't want to be there if a brawl broke out....
Moving near NYC, and living in some more urban areas, has really helped ease my "fears". One day, in NJ I was looking for a fishing spot... They have these parks with small ponds where people can fish. Well there were these 4 black guys sitting on a picnic table. It was a somewhat secluded area hidden from the street by bushes etc. I was alone. They ranged from early 30's to late 40's. I mean these were typical "shoulda been scared of" BIG black guys. Gold teeth, ghetto clothes, big afro's. I mean they were straight outta the hood as far as a little country white boy like me was concerned. I put aside my preconcieved notions, stereotypes, and said screw it.
I somewhat ignored them, as I walked around the pond looking for fish. I didn't want to "dis" them. Suddenly they said "What you looking for? Fish?!" So I told them yes, they asked if I was a Cop. I said no. That kind of put me on alert. I kept them all in front of me, and an exit behind me, as well as some distance between us. Enough to be safe, but not look scared or volnurable. Turned out, they had a 12-er of Heiniken hidden in the bushes and wanted to crack another one. They offered me one, and I politely declined, told them I was leaving soon and just wanted to check it out. They told me the story of a "big 'ol snappin turtle" that ate all the fish in the pond. Nothing happened, and I left....
I actually felt really good about myself that day. I had overcome stereotypes, unfounded opinions, and so on. They were just some regular guys, getting toasted in the park, much like many white people I know do...
But, I was still more scared because they were black, than I would have been had they been white... Can't explain why, thats just the way it is....
Thanks for reading... Hopefully no offense was taken, none was intended...
Bo