[WardFive] Re: Indian Rob

Thank you Mr. Peloquin!  You couldn't have said it better.  I have lived it and seen the disparity and how people who have treat and talk to people who don't have.  Many of my friends in Guyana didn't have much and I can remember learning lots from those experiences. I went to high school on the West Side of Plano, Tx and lived amongst Middle Class and Upper Middle Class Whites and few were just horrible; lucky for me, I had some compassionate (White) friends who would always say "just forget about them". And then when I spoke up, because I was Indian, I was "different".  Well, I wasn't because my Brother-in-law whose house I lived in was Black and my niece and nephew as Black. So, I fought it then as I fight it now!!

Most people (especially in this area) think you actually have to use the "N" word to  say something racially cored or be a racist. Like we have discussed many times, there are numerous "small" words, "simple" reactions, responses, actions, the votes and all the "small" things voted upon especially in the political arena that sit somewhere on the spectrum definitely heading in the direction of the "N" word.  And that somewhere is where most Blacks start getting angry!  Most talk about the racism privately as some of us feel that nothing is ever going to change.  I believe that people can't change if they don't know what they are doing is wrong!

Actually Mr. Peloquin, over the years, other than your impatience, your willingness to listen with an open mind was very encouraging and may have been part of the reason that I was able believe that others would listen.  Last night, I had a lengthy discussion with an older friend that I am not going to change things. My response was that "sure I will".  She said, "I am worried about you, your business and about your safety".  I said, I will take the risk.  Ironically, today I went to my niece's graduation from Langley in Va and the Advice Given was - It is impossible to achieve tough goals without taking risks!!  Well, Risking not being liked, losing a business, getting threatened, etc., is all worth it if I can trigger whatever it takes to make people start thinking logically towards being more fair and equal towards each other.

The other day, it was tough to hear that no one who responded even thought that there could be a reason for that young girl to act out other than her just being Violent!  I know the conversations I had and it amazes me that one entire culture would share my feeling of "why"/"I wonder what happened" but so many of another culture was just Blind to that thought!  Worse, why would these people even think that I am not concerned about the safety of the family - just because I asked "why".  The worst part was that someone actually asked me "what could the husband possibly do to deserve this"?

And this is what I am referring to about the things that people say that they don't see that would be seen as racist - What she basically said is that there is no way that this White Man could have done anything to make this 16yr old Black Girl go off like this!!  Now, there is a ton of things that he could have done but she automatically cleared him from all of that!  Had this been an incident in Georgetown with a 16 year old White Girl stabbing the Truck, I guarantee that some of the responders would be asking "why" instead and this lady would not have asked me "what could the husband possibly do to deserve this"? 

You see, because she was Black, an intimate relationship (amongst other things) was ruled out but would it have been ruled out had it been an incident occurring in Georgetown with a White Girl?  You see, my wife's and my brain immediately scanned and thought about a lot of possibilities - from her being on Drugs to him doing something and that's why I asked the question "why".  I can guarantee that most Blacks thought the same way that I did!  So whether these folks and others liked/or disliked, what I asked and when I ANSWERED questions posed to me about what "possibly could have been done", is their issue - not me.  Like you said, I see racism for what it is (not just the "N" word) and where it is on the spectrum because it is almost everywhere when logic is not present. One just have to have the experience that allows them to recognize it at the speed of our life experiences!!  

Anyways, I am betting that the Most People here in our Community and in our City would like to not say the Racial things that often gets said (if they don't mean to) as well as I believe that many understand that if we are going to have a better society, we have to work towards making sure that all our youth have the same opportunities to become productive adults.  At the Graduation today, I couldn't help thinking about our kids and the school system that we have allowed them to be subjected to.

With tears in my eyes, I am sorry that I wasn't as wide awake sooner and haven't done more!

Rob Ramson

On Wed, Jun 13, 2012 at 10:17 AM, <jeromepeloquin@fastmail.fm> wrote:

Let me state in front that Rob Ramson is my friend.  We share a concern for the political ineptitude and outright corruption in this town and in Brookland and the need to create an active and engaged citizens movement.   So take my comments as biased.

 

Rob Ramson is not only a good man, he is a courageous one at that.   Mr. Ramson sits in a unique place.  He is of Indian heritage, a native of Guyana, from a large family ... he comes from a country where, not only is race a constant subtext to society (like here) but shades of color are also key determinators of one's future.  Rob sees racial issues everywhere simply because racial issues are everywhere!  Unlike most of us, Rob calls them out!  He may not be what one may wish him to be (a quiet unassuming merchant)  he is an active and engaged citizen who realizes full well that there are many on this list serve who would have him quieted ... many who see his words and are frightened by them.   Many who will read only the surface of the remarks and draw their own conclusions.  He knows this may cost him business (Yes, he is not the proprietor of the Cafe.  He does own the building in which it leases space)

 

I have no idea why the young person would bring a gang to attack a family and their car or truck.  It does not have to be much of that I am certain ... a request for a little restraint could be the trigger ... still it does seem a bit over the top ... the stabbing response I mean!   Asking for a reason, an event, or an act that could have triggered the response is not unreasonable.   Those who accuse Rob of implying some untoward act on the part of the husband choose to interpret his question in t he most arbitrary and subjective way.   I urge anyone who is forming an opinion of Mr. Ramson to go to  his Cafe and talk to him.  He will buy you a drink and maybe more ... he will give you a perspective on this community and this town.

 

Stop bashing Rob Ramson and talk to him in person.

 

Jerry in Opposition

--
R. Ramson
3744 12th Street, N.E.,
Washington D.C., 20017
202-438-5988

"We must become the change we want to see" - Mohandas Gandhi-
(Together, for a Brighter Tomorrow)




 

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