Why?

[Rex E.]

Originally Posted by Brett A

Not to mention the process of self-segregating. What we white people generally fail to notice is that people-of-color live in a white world. And in this country, they always have. I'm sure there are some white folks reading this that feel uncomfortable when they realize they are the only caucasian on a full subway car, or a busy street or crowded market. This is the closest personal experience I can think of that opens some empathy for the experience of living as a minority. But it goes w/o saying that I don't have 400 years of being enslaved to further inform the experience.

One way I can relate this to sports is in cycling. That's a very white sport IMO (and one that I do myself). I meet very few African American road riders, and I've never ridden a mountain bike with a person of color. I wonder if showing up at a group ride as a person of color might elicit the kind of "visitor in a white world" experience I'm talking about.

(---and no, simply having a discussion about race, and asking these questions does not qualify a person as a racist. In order to truly get past it, it's time to talk more about race, not less IMO)

Exactly why as "white folk" we should make it our mission to go to such places.

I have a great friend that's a luthier and a student of the old finger style blues. He is a black man and a very talented one at that. He was playing a blues gig one night at what he referred to as "The last real juke joint left in St. Louis", Beulah's Red Velvet Lounge and basically challenged me to come to the show as it was "were white men fear to tread" in north St. Louis near the corner of Martin Luther King & North Kings Highway.

Loving the music and having to see this magical place all the old blue greats would talk about while sitting in Mike's shop I said "I'll be there tonight". I walked in the door at about 9pm and all heads turned to me with a look of disbelief. My friend was not there yet nor his band but one man from his shop recognized me and hailed me over to his table. I admit that I was extremely uncomfortable when everything stopped and all eyes were on me. Exactly what you are talking about hit me then. Anyway, I did what anyone would do and ordered beers for the table and tipped the help very well. What an incredible night of blues music and making new friends.

I was scared out of my mind as I walked by myself back to my bright RED truck. I was hoping I was not in the wrong neighborhood but had no trouble at all. Very eye opening on many levels.

If you are in StL and love real delta blues then head on down to Beulah's for a magical night of music.