September 2, 2011
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A tiny noose hangs from mirror
I took my mom to the bank today. And where we live in the high desert we're a really distributed minority. Actually you rarely see hispanic people. Probably the only place you will see Hispanic people is the Spanish mass they hold on Sundays. And I don't know if it's my imagination or if I read too much into it but there is always a teacher that greets all the kids when they're dropped off... I see her say hello to all the kids ... well with exception of my son. My son doesn't really look hispanic most people confuse him for being mixed (or I don't know if they still do but they did) but he's Hispanic (I think, fully, I think haha). And Every morning I see her and she greets all other kids but she never says a word to my son. It's not that I'm going to make her, it's not the point but it makes me wonder why she skips him... maybe it's because he's small and his mission is going straight to class and wont acknowledge her. But, then again to other kids who aren't looking she'll greet them and even say hello to the parents in the car. I don't have a a great car but it's nicer than some other's but that's not the point she never greets me either. I guess the wonder just comes to my mind.
I do have to say though when I went to the University I went to one which was predominantly white, all the people were great and I never felt like an outsider or the need to join a Latino group or a minority group, I did what I could to fit but I did see a lot of friends struggle instead of adapting which always made me sad. I know what it feels like being the only mexican and female in a crowd of 100+ , having my personality I will say I felt a little rather odd especially when I feel I don't fit but I make the best of the situation but school gave me comfort and security. Now where I live now, it's hardly liberal... very very conservative. I actually feel awkward at times even when I go grocery shopping... it can be my imagination... or is it? I guess it's a time when I'm finally happy we're moving back to what I know has been home since June 1998. Don't get me wrong... I love it here, the beauty of the high desert, the wind, the cold evenings, the fresh air, the view of the mountains, the long drive down. I love the house we have here,the space... But, the eyes of people staring... or am I going crazy... but I've lived here for like year and a half and those staring eyes should have ideally stopped but nope. Maybe I'm paranoid...
Anyways enough of my tangent so I took my mom to the bank. And while I was there my son started crying because he was hungry. He had just gotten out of school. I was just looking back to talk to him and reassure them that it was a quick stop so a white car pulls up next to me and parks. I did a double take when I saw this man... he was wearing this bandanna ↓
I was curious so I think I kept somewhat looking while still trying to calm my son. I think he felt my brief stares... lol but what's not to look at especially when you notice what he's wearing on his head. I think he had a bad day because he looked rather upset. So I know he looked my way a few times... And then he went into the bank...
I get bored to I just look around and play with my phone. But, since I can't do much with my phone (only in that area- poor service) I just look distracted. So, I look into cars ...
So I was looking into this guy's car who just happened to go into the bank and since he was already wearing a bandanna with many confederate flags... I just stopped thinking about it... out of sight, out of mind until I see what he had hanging from his front mirror. It's a little noose... I don't know and I didn't want to jump into conclusions but I found it oddly funny. (oh yea, and that's the picture of his car, I took... it was too good to pass up of a pic. I almost took a pic of him as he was sitting but I thought that would be too obvious)
I can't assume anything (even though you know what I'm inferring , I think) but what would you think... *shrug*
Comments (18)
wow, that's sort of creepy. I don't get how people can cling to that flag. They say it's a symbol of culture and if that's the case because I'm German I should be able to fly and wear the Nazi flag.
@godfatherofgreenbay - Really a symbol of culture? I don't see how, if what we all represent here in the US is still the flag now. Yes, it's a part of history which is offensive to some people. I don't find it offensive personally but at the same time I would use more caution... just the same if I saw a person with Nazi flags signs or swastikas
Whow, thats a sure sign of 'avoid this guy' sure it might be prejudice or the wrong assumption but even without the flag bandana what sort of person has a noose in their car?
Having lived in a very white area for a long time, well all my life really.
To my shame i have to admit i do 'notice' when i see someone of another ethnicity, for me it's more out of interest than anything else and of course i don't gawp or anything lol since theres quite a lot of tourism here it's not so unusual to see other cultures, but when i'm down south it dose suprise me to see how mixed and multicultural the rest of the UK is.
My point of all that is that despite not being in the slightest bothered or effected by other ethnicities i do react initially slightly differently simply because i'm not used to it, (to be honest i'm not sure i react visibly even, but i can't deny there is a responce) so if your getting a sense of something in a prodominatnely different cultural enviroment then perhaps it's just a responce to the rareness rather than anything else.
He's probably all cranky because that bandana is keeping knowledge from seeping into his brain.
@BFB1131 - I know it was an interesting little noose hanging. I've seen other people sport their confederate flags or even small signs of little tolerance for others but it's never been a problem. People can live as they please as long as they don't distrub the peace but some signs are a little eye opener. See I'm use to living where there are people of majorly of different races. I don't mind diversity as long it's accepted. And yea, I understand noticing people of different ethnicity, it's normal. I'm self aware and notice everybody's distinct and not so easy to distinguish ethnic background.
And you're probably right. the funny thing though is that I've been living here for like a year and a half and I'm barely noticing the feeling. It's ok though it's all a part of growing up. =D
@GodlessLiberal - lmao.... hey we never know!! I wonder if that bandana keeping the knowledge is a good thing or bad thing... hmm, I wonder.
Of course here in my state, you see a lot of confederate flags--they are a sign of pride for those who live here. The noose, however, that tells a different story and would truly bother me.
We have a lot of hispanic people in our area. One of my karate instructors is hispanic and his little girl calls, me 'mamasita'..love it. Our church has a few hispanic families including his. But I think we could do more as a church to reach the hispanic community--just saying.
Having worked in a mulit cultural church, I can say, it is definitely work to blend cultures as they are all different. But it can be done.
Oh my... I would sure avoid this guy!!!! Sorry you feel out of place. It makes me wonder about the many Hispanics in our area how they must feel. Culture gaps can be very wide be there has to be a coexistence. We are all one in this old world!!!
uhm... the last time I've checked.. it was a ... charge.. a felony I think.. to .. make a noose...
Be careful, Reyna. I would feel like killing anyone who hurt you, seriously. A charge based on the noose would probably bring the ACLU goon squad out of the woodwork, yammering about the troll's "free-speech rights". Like most of what the ACLU does, it doesn't change what's right and wrong.
Racism is always wrong, and so is the guy who would fly the Nazi flag.
@boydcreek - What part of the south? they're not very typical in the california or maybe never noticed the flag. Yes, the noose was a bit odd to see .
tolerance to all is always important, I guess there will always be more predominant ethinicities in different places. I usually don't mind or care. I love multi-cultural environment. That's how most schools I've gone to have been. I've so glad you're all so accepting. Acceptance to all is always important. And I'm sure we're accepted for the most part too. Maybe since I'm very aware I notice too much.
@boydcreek - That was the first time I had seen this person. But, I found it interesting. Where do you live? Seen in most cases people with similar ethnic background find each other to feel better. I've always been more of an isolationist so I don't specifically seek out people with same ethnic background but more with common interests. Culture gaps can be but I've been good at adapting but I guess I notice when my parents speak with an accept my son sometimes looks mix and people mistake me as a person who only knows spanish from mexico and doesn't have right. (sometimes can be an advantage but I hate when people assume, you know?)
I'm often the only pear in the crowd, so I know how this feels.
@BenelliMan - Really is it a felony? even a tiny tiny one like in the picture?
@RighteousBruin - Awww... you're so sweet. Very protective. *hug* I am very careful and always aware of my surrounding. I never let my guard down. What's ACLU. You're right what's right from wrong doesn't ever change.
And racism is wrong, and the guy was really saying that the person shouldn't use the confederate flag. He didn't want to hang the nazi flag, it was an example. Thank you for the support!
@TheMushyPear - awww... *hugs* Blend in with all the colorful fruit and make a nice fruit bowl collage. We don't always look the same, but we can blend in and be happy.
@pinktiger335 - ACLU is the American Civil Liberties Union. They started out defending college kids' free-speech rights in the 1950's, but have degenerated into a freak circus.
@RighteousBruin - oh yea, I've heard of them. Many things start in good nature to protect but then turn into something else.
@pinktiger335 - http://www.zimbio.com/Racial+divide/articles/39/Noose+Intimidation+Finally+Illegal
If it's used for intimidation, yes.
@BenelliMan - ah ok. Wow, I had no idea. See I was just looking over to his car while he went to the bank so it wasn't any form on intimidation. But, I'm there are a few radicals around here because when we moved here there was this specific very conservative family that I'm sure went to the support of the border in Arizona and would post huge signs which were rather racist... they had a huge metal (i think) in their front yard as is doing the work of God or if that huge cross signified something... that was the first time I actually felt uncomfortable passing by that house but I couldn't pass and not notice it. Eventually, for some reason they stop putting up signs and they moved their cross back... I think they must have been reported or were even attacked at their home which is sad... I guess they were censored a bit. I remember seeing police officers there for a while in a course of a few months. I don't know what happened but I guess I must have not been the only one offended.
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