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I just ran into town for a latenight dinner-to-go from Sharis. The local auto races had just ended for the night, and since Shari's is the only place open this late for twenty miles in any direction, the restaurant was absolutely packed. In passing I made the comment, "boy, you are really hopping tonight". The guy looked at me like he wanted to kill me.
At the time I was wondering what's wrong with this kid. He continued to glare at me the entire time I was there. Only after leaving did I realize that this kid is probably one of a half dozen black kids his age in town. Being a small rural community with a dying but still kicking stock of racism, I am sure that some people have called him "boy", with the sole intent of degrading him. I often use the word "boy" as a sort of damped explitive, but I would never use it in a racist sense. It was a very unfortunate misunderstanding. I feel badly now.
At the time I was wondering what's wrong with this kid. He continued to glare at me the entire time I was there. Only after leaving did I realize that this kid is probably one of a half dozen black kids his age in town. Being a small rural community with a dying but still kicking stock of racism, I am sure that some people have called him "boy", with the sole intent of degrading him. I often use the word "boy" as a sort of damped explitive, but I would never use it in a racist sense. It was a very unfortunate misunderstanding. I feel badly now.