This really happened....I swear on the memories of both my parents and on the life of my son that I did not make any of this up. I don't remember EXACT wording, of course, but the general gist will be clear.
I recently started a new job, and was killing my break time with some fellow non-smoking co-workers gathered by the Pepsi machine. Two of them were blacks, and I mentioned that my wife and I were new to the area. One of the blacks asked me how we liked it; I replied that we liked it very much, and intended to stay. He nodded and commented on how this area is a nice place for "families and shit". he then went on to add that I should not, however, do anything to break the law.
"They get you on one thing," he said, "then they get you on something else, then something else, then something else....next thing you know, you fightin' four or five cases, and you got no idea what you did."
The other black guy spoke up. "Yeah...that's true..the cops around here pick on you a lot. I ain't doin' nothin' but misdemeanors from now on...fuck that felony shit."
The first guy agreed...."Yeah, fuck that shit....I done did all 'at..no more felonies. Nothing but misdemeanors from now on."
I kind of laughed and said to both of them "Well, you know, you're really not supposed to do either one." They both looked at me with this expression that said "Silly white man," and beyond that, completely ignored me! It was like I hadn't said anything. They continued talking nonchalantly about breaking the law as a ho-hum, everyday event, like going out to eat or watching a ballgame.
This happened exactly as I related. Even if the wording was not exact, it's as close as I can remember.
Now, I must ask you....Why, O why, do the police so harass the poor, misunderstood black man?
Why do blacks have this O-so-undeserved reputation for being criminals and unworthy of trust?
Why can't they get ahead? Why do they feel oppressed and held back by the System?
Would anyone, based on the above anecdote, care to answer these questions?