city living: chapter 47
Whoa, it's been forever! But recent events on the train have inspired me to write.
First of all, what is up with the new announcements on the CTA trains these days?
Do not attempt to board this train! Doors are closing!
Yeah right, like we're gonna wait for the next train. Now I understand this is the CTA's reaction to the unfortunate incident a few months ago where a baby stroller was dragged along the platform after being caught in the doors. But I feel like this is an overreaction. And because the train operator is the one making the announcement, it comes across like a crotchety old man yelling at you to get off his lawn. The trains barely stop long enough for people to get off and on as it is, do we really need someone barking at us to not even attempt to get on the train that is right in front of you because they're ready to go?
Last night, I was riding the train home and sitting near two women who were having a conversation about their workplace. I wasn't eavesdropping, but it's hard to ignore a conversation when the people involved are speaking loudly and perhaps the only ones talking. I don't really remember most of the conversation but one thing that struck me as amusing was when one of the women was talking about a co-worker who was "African-American" she lowered her voice. She didn't say anything disparaging about this person, but I got the impression that she was nervous about saying "African-American" too loudly in front of me, like she was talking about me or something.
I feel like we've gotten too sensitive about stuff like this. First of all, I don't even like the term African-American. I know somebody at some point thought it sounded more respectful but it's probably just an insult to Africans. I'm sure many them would not consider Black Americans to be anything like the people of Africa. It's two complete different cultures. Actually more than two, because Africa is not a country, it's a big ass continent. In addition, using the term can lead to confusion. Once, someone in conversation referred to someone she had met from London as African American. I just laughed when she said it and told her that he was not African American. She was confused and stated that he was and I had to remind her than he was English, not American.
So from now on people, just say Black. And capitalize that shit when you write it. And maybe even pump your fist in the air when you say it, but not in a Jersey Shore way. :p