Sticks and Stones, right?

I am sure many of you can relate to an instance where someone says something that can ruin your day. Well, it’s been over a week and I am still salty.

I was covering a local event and was ready to tackle the day with a full head of steam, but within the first 30 minutes of working that day, I was called a racial slur by a man that was drunk. Does the drinking negate the behavior? I don’t think so. Does this person even remember his rant when he shouted two times, “He is an f-ing n*gger?” I do. It was from a distance and with music blaring, but yes, I still heard it and assumed that he was talking about the one guy who he had just shaken hands with a few minutes ago; me.

To the credit of those around him, they shut his behavior down. I know what people say about words… Sticks and stones, right? I walked away, though inside a few emotions ran through my head. Still, here I sit a week and a half later, and instead of writing of my successes recently, all I can think of is one major negative event.

I sit here writing, wondering why and how is this even still a thing? Is it racism? Is it racial ignorance? Insensitivity? I don’t know but I have to be honest, I haven’t been called that in the same airspace before, and not in that context. I have heard people use that word in town in different ways and then later apologize to me.

I certainly don’t use that language. I’m sure there was a time that my parents were hoping that I would never have to hear those words. I hope and pray that my boys won’t have to hear those words, but the truth of the matter is one day they will whether it be in jest, hate, or even in music and movies.

I know nothing about the person who said the slur, but even if that person used those words out of hate, I wish them well. I’m just saying, that those words were discouraging to hear and made me feel like I’m hated or looked at negatively because of my skin (which is a milk-chocolate brown tone). That guy’s words brought my positive energy down a bit but I am still optimistic and love being here. Again thanks to those that shut him down and to those that make a point teach their children that I am a man and like any other man, I am made in God’s image. I am also proud to be an American.

I will think of something more cheery to write about next time.