Growing up I always had the typical asshole talking shit and making noises he thinks constitutes a foreign language. Too bad none of them asked me if that meant anything. I would have probably answered something in the realm of, 'Yeah, you just said your family rents you out.' Well, depending on how big the guy is.
In truth, I compromise a lot. My friend calls me 'Switzerland' because I always try to see all sides and try to understand where someone's coming from. I have strong opinions that change given strong evidence. But I also don't get in to unnecessary fights. My godbrother is infamous for laying the beat down for even a wrong look but that's not my style. I walk away.
But a situation arose not too long ago that got me thinking how things have changed. Slowly over the years, but they still have changed. When I was growing up, if I walked past a group of African Americans or Hispanics or Latinos I was sure to get harassed. I would cross the street or if I couldn't, I would walk very quickly. I wasn't going to fight a group of guys. But the other day, I passed by a group of young Hispanic men. And they were all drinking bubble tea. They passed me without any unfriendliness and just continued chatting gentlemanly to each other.
Looking back on that situation it kind of blows my mind a little. My neighborhood has gradually become a huge mix of people. There are still rifts and incidences, but things are way better than they were growing up.
Russell Peters did a great joke about us all blending together. I'll try to put that up if I can find it again.
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