Sorry to hear about what happened. My guess is that the guy didn't really mean any offense, was just trying to be funny, etc. That doesn't make it any less annoying or hurtful, I'm sure.

Unless the people of the world all blend into one mixed race, I don't think we'll ever see the end of racism. It'* not limited to white people vs. everyone else, either. Up until voters passed a proposal to ban such things in Michigan in the past few years, it was easier to get into the University of Michigan if you were any color but white. All in the name of fairness, ironically. And that'* just one example, many city governments and such also used race (against white people) in their hiring processes.

Until both sides stop judging people by their skin color, or seeking payback for things done generations ago, it'll never end. Programs like Affirmative Action and organizations like the NAACP and the Congressional Black Caucus only perpetuate the problem.

Can you imagine the outcry if some white people formed the National Association for the Advancement of White People? How about the Congressional White Caucus? That would be racist! And it would be. Yet the Black equivalents exist, and nobody says a word against them. Double standards won't help the racism situation.

.............
I can't believe this happened. Like everyone else I am sorry you had to experience that.
Some people are just ignorant.
I am very impressed on how you handled it, and i am glad you felt comfortable to vent here to us.

Wow Ryan, I'm sorry you had to go thru that. It doesn't look like your firends are all that good at being a friend....

I also have to apologize, If you have some color to you .. I didn't even notice when we met you and Stephanie at NeBf - LoL. I hope that came out funny but its true. I started reading going wtf is he talking about. I tend to take people for who they are not what color they are

Yeah, I am not super dark right now, but I stick out like a sore thumb in a crowd of people that aren't even a little bit tan

Usually, I get VERY VERY dark in the summer, but with working midnights for the last four years, I haven't been getting that dark, but it is still pretty obvious.


Thank you all for your kind words, I really appreciate it

Man, I get called racial names and I am white... Everyone thinks I am Mexican because I am so dark and speak spanish. I am part Blackfoot Native American and I work outside in the sun all day so yeah for a white boy I am dark as hell.

Sorry to hear about that, sad fact of the matter is there will always be people like that in this world. It'* people like that, that give rednecks like me a bad rap.

Only thing I can think of is in the words of Christopher Titus "I'm whitey and I appologize"

(A little long, but hopefully makes you chuckle at least)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWVrec9pT_g

Ryan....your skin color is part of what makes you so sexy I'm totally impressed with your response to the situation, but not surprised after meeting you.

Unfortunately, such acts of prejudice still remain, mainly in the small towns (in my experience). The folks around here are either very prejudiced or very accepting. It'* a strange mix - one end of the spectrum to the other. Just last Friday I had a guy come to sing karaoke at the bar/restaurant where I host it. Phenomenal singer...totally gay. Also present was a group of women I'm friends with - the give-the-shirt-off-their-backs people - by many, they are considered "the town lesbo'*".

On one side of the room were people who ended up being the "homo-phobs"...on the other side, a group of five 21 yr olds who ended up singing, dancing, and doing shots with the singer. I was amazed at the contrasts between the two groups.

In fact, one of the homo-phobs said to me, "...for a minute there, I thought you turned gay because you're hanging out with them." My reply "...nope, I'm not gay. I just prefer to hang out with good honest people over the prejudiced idiots in the world" as I proceeded to walk away. He chased me down and said, "I was only kidding, I know they're nice...I'm really not prejudiced." I looked at him and said, "I wasn't kidding. And I am prejudiced... against prejudicism."

Please don't let this incident affect your confidence...however I would reconsider the friendship with the homeowners...true friends stand up for each other.