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Casual Racists Feb 28, 08, 4:54 a.m.

Long post...

funny experience.

I live in Millwall/Isle of Dogs. When i was growing up, near leeds, even up there, this place had a reputation for being National Front territory. Anyway, that were the 80s early 90's. Not the same now, now it's on the edge of Canary Wharf yuppie-dum.

However there's still enclaves, remnants of white working class culture. And there's this pub, the George, on the corner of my street. Flag of St George on the roof - alarm bells ring. I walked in there once when i first moved in, and promptly walked straight out the other door - with every white-man's eye following me. Unnerving experience, but if you're a shade of brown, you know whatsup when you get that "vibe".

So well anyway i got these flatmates who go there a lot. Hell of a lot. They know all the locals, all the locals know them. They hang out with them in and out of the pub. They told me few months ago, summat like "oh no, it's under new management now, it's not like it used to be, completely different people, a different family own it, it's so much more friendly". Well so they been dragging me in there, on occaision recently. I guess i only been there three or four times.

But for me, i felt the same vibe. I put this down to all being in my head. I know alot of "ethnic" people are accused of being overly sensitive to this shit, and i would never wanna be in THAT category. So i basically brushed it aside and be like "it's all in my head, your projecting your own insecurities and prejudices onto these people"
bla bla bla. Especially with my flatmates being so down with them.

So last night i was there with my flatmates, we were sat down having beers, chatting away. And one of the guys, Lee, whose a good mate with my flatmates comes over and sits down. Here are a few choice things that were said between us:

Lee: Where you originally from?
Me: i'm "originally" a yorkshire lad
Lee: Nah fuck that, your parents.. where were they born?
Me: Pakistan
Lee: Nah, can't be. You dont seem it.
Me: Why not?
Lee: You seem too cool. Like the way you talk. I can talk to you normally. I can't talk with them. They're too different to me.
Me: You ever known any Pakistanis?
Lee: No, never... shagged a few! Hhahahahahah - only kidding only kidding. I'm sorry i'm sorry, i dont know any different. I'm just ignorant.
Me: That's ok. I wont hold it against you.
Lee: No, your cool. Your friends cool. Ok, and i'll be honest here - and no offence to your people, or your parents, but you know who i hate? All these fucking Pakistani kids, with their slick back hair, and their fucking clothes, and their chains, walking round like they own the place.
Me: Heh... You dont get Pakistani's round here. They're mainly Bengalis.
Lee: Aren't they the same? I'm sorry man! I'm just ignorant i dont really know.

Then he shouts to the pub. "Hey everyone, this is my new Paki mate. He's my Paki mate he is! My Paki mate!" A look of incredulity on my face

Me: Dude, wtf, don't call me that.
Lee: Oh come on. We're mates. If you can't say that to your mates out of friendship, then what can you say to each other.
Me: "Mate", i've known you for half an hour. I haven't decided whether we're mates yet.

Lee looks sad. He drops his head. So i put him in a head lock, and ruffle his hair really hard.

Me: Ah relaxe Lee! I'll be your friend!! It's cool bro! Fun and games! Fun and games!

I'm laughing like a maniac, while ruffling his hair in a head lock.

Lee: Awww, i'm so glad. You're my first Pakistani mate. You know, ever since you lot came over here and took over our country, basically, i'm starting to realise that we have to get used to it, and get to know you.
Me: Ha, ah lee, what a great day this is for my people.

All this while my flatmates are looking at me dumbfounded, bright red embarassed, mouthing the words "I'm so sorry, i'm so sorry" etc. And then in the corner of my eye i saw the TV screen and there's a trailer for a BBC2 programme called "Has white Britain
become invisible?" and there's a picture of a white guys face which is coloured black by a marker pen. And i thought "wtf??? THis is waaay too much of a trip".

Anyway when we got home my flatmates were like, "that was really good of you to take it in such good humour." Like wtf else was i supposed to do? "You know i'm glad Jim wasn't there, he basically says he hates black people." Lucky me!

And really, there was nothing about the actual situation that got to me, or even offended me to be honest. I DID find it humourous. The guy didn't mean any harm, IMO, he was just ignorant. You grow up in a monocultural environment where certain views are prevalent, it must be difficult for him to know how to act around someone like me. In his mind, i'm sure he was trying his best. And i've experienced FAR worse.

What bugs me tho, is that MY friends, are friends with these people. I don't know how
they think they can square that. I don't really have any resentment against them, because they can't possibly know how it feels in my shoes. A bunch of white kids, they can walk into a pub like that, and instantly make friends with them all, and have drinks bought for them, and be taken out to clubs and get taxis paid for. And there's no way for them to pick up on the fact that the vibe i'm getting is totally different to what they're getting from them. Still tho - are you MY mates? You hanging around with this bunch of toothless cockneys? Hmmm. mmmm.hmmm..mmm??? A bit of solidarity.. Or maybe last night will have revealed their gross naivety to them. One of my flatmates is an American from fucking North Dakota, so i guess he wasn't to know.. Another's only 22 fresh out of college... I guess they're just naive.

So now i'm thinking back to it, i'm feeling a little uncomfortable. So cheer me up white people! Cos once again i'm feelin alienated from y'all.

119119Comments

Khurram

Dear QBN Jul 3, 08, 1:44 a.m.

I'm wrecked this morning. WRECKED.

So I wont be doing any work. Instead i'm gonna spend the whole day (with an hour for lunch) on this forum like the days of yore.

I'll be partaking in all inane threads with the usual inflammotry rheotric. In return i expect a host of wankery from you on subjects as diverse as religion, politics, hedge etc.. fucking take em all on.

Cheers,

PS - I wanna give a special shout-out to Michael Francis Thomas who stood me up last night cos he's a two-timing whore!!!!!!!

6767Comments

Khurram

Quotes to Live Your Life By Dec 7, 07, 6:25 a.m.

"Whom do I hate most, among all the rabble of to-day?: The Socialist who undermines the workingman's instincts, who destroys his satisfaction with his insignificant existence, who makes him envious and teaches him revenge."
- Friedrich Nietzche

"Thus,' shouts Zarathustra, 'would I have man and woman: the one fit for warfare, the other fit for giving birth; and both fit for dancing with head and legs'—"
- Friedrich Nietzche

"War and courage have done more great things than charity. Not your pity, but your bravery lifts up those about you. Let the little girlies tell you that "good" means "sweet" and "touching." I tell you that "good" means "brave." ... The slave rebels against hardships and calls his rebellion superiority. Let your superiority be an acceptance of hardships. Let your commanding be an obeying. . . . Propagate yourself upward.... I do not spare you.... Die at the right time ... Be hard!"
- Friedrich Nietzche

"I do not advise you to compromise and make peace, but to conquer. Let your labor be fighting, and your peace victory.... What is good? All that increases the feeling of power, the will to power, power itself in man. What is bad? All that proceeds from weakness. What is happiness? The feeling that power increases, that resistance is being overcome.... Not contentment, but more power! Not peace at any price, but war! Not virtue, but efficiency! ... The weak and the botched must perish: that is the first principle of our humanity. And they should be helped to perish! ... I am writing for the lords of the earth. You say that a good cause hallows even war? ... I tell you that a good war hallows every cause!"
- Friedrich Nietzche

4545Comments

Khurram

Greedolives FOREVER... Jul 23, 08, 12:31 p.m.

one of qbn's coolest members...

http://www.fceiken.ch/images/respekt.jpg

3636Comments

Khurram

Cool Song Jul 24, 08, 4:03 a.m.

I like this one song by this one chick

http://www.last.fm/music/Devon+S…

Devon Sproule - Old Virginia Block

Click play on the flash player top-right.

1515Comments

Khurram

Funniest thing i said 2 Day Oct 24, 08, 6:24 a.m.

SkyShit

lol

1414Comments

Khurram

Straw poll Sep 25, 08, 8:52 a.m.

Q:Signing cards for people you don't know

Context:
her: "Khurram, you wanna sign Vicky's card?"
him: "Who?"
her: "Vick Oxxxxxxx"
him: "I don't know who that is"
her: "I take it that's a no then?"
him: "Ummm" *shrug*
her: *look of bitter spite*

Would you, yes or no?

1414Comments

Khurram