So for this latest installment for some that may read this I'm going to break the facade of me JUST being an artist (which is really the only thing that matters...my music). By day I currently work at a software company running their customer service department (before you get any ideas...I am NOT caking..truss meh). This is important as I relay to you my most recent experience. This past week an angry customer from Canada contacts me due to the fact he is ineligible for a courtesy/discount price on a piece of equipment WE don't sell, but worked out an agreement with the American arm of the company. He's been trying to get all three companies (ours, the product manufacturer, and the vendor who sells the equipment) involved to sell him this equipment at the courtesy price.

Now the software in question is sold to Veterinarians, doctors and often times their attitude and egos reflect that status. They expect a certain level of submission  from whomever they come in contact with, and assume preferential treatment will be bestowed upon them due to their status.

So he states to me on the phone, "I'm being swindled and taking advantage of, you are treating me like how they treat N@$rs in America, I'm being discriminated against." For the sake of a potentially G-Rated audience and as to not possibly incriminate myself, I won't tell you my initial internal thought process. Let's just say it was something along the lines of the Michael Douglas character in "Falling Down"...times a thousand. Being the consummate professional I am (read: corporate slave)  I politely but sternly let him know "Dr. I'm an African American and your comments are inappropriate and I don't appreciate it". To which he simply stated, well I feel discriminated against and it's the same thing. This is the @$$@% we have to eat. Some of you might be thinking "You  did the right thing Gun, you took the high road" or some of you might be thinking "Yeah you soft son, you're a Tom". I'll say that in my brain both of those conflicts were going on. The conversation lasted about ten minutes and his comment took me off guard. What I found most interesting though beyond the comments are a couple of truths that sadly again were reinforced:

1. The comfort level that many whites have when they assume the audience they are speaking to are one of them. I'm opening myself up to the Carlton comparisons, but the fact is, I am an educated black man and I refuse to act or sound different. The other reality is that in my place of business I must interact and communicate with people to defuse their frustration, anger. You don't do that by coming off aggressive. There is a level of psychology that I have to apply everyday to essentially do my job. It's deep and not so deep all at the same time. Regardless, this Doctor ASSUMED I must be white. No way has he felt comfortable using that language with someone of color. All he knew was 1. I'm in a position of authority, he is speaking to a manager and 2. My language is articulate and I sound non aggressive. Check and Check, White. Cool the hood can come off (or pulled down?)

2. The proof of the inherent racist and backwards thinking that still exists in so many people. So you can't buy a stupid printer on the cheap cause you're Canadian. That's as important and as real as a destruction of a culture, people, and the historical evidence of relegating an entire race for GENERATIONS to second class citizen hood (at best)? I see our priorities are straight in Canada.

The facts remain that my people are still an afterthought and unimportant to large majority of people. The facts remain that past, present and future subjugation of people of color is as insignificant as a discount on a printer. That's what our struggle is relegated to. Most importantly though behind close doors, in casual conversations in the safety of friends, family and acquaintenances, to many we're still just a bunch of Niggers.