I was just in a traffic accident on my way home from work.  Nothing serious, but damn, I'm glad the forum is here for me to let off some steam of my own...

I was on my scooter, entering the intersection on a yellow light.  The oncoming car turned left in front of me, forcing me to choose between being splat-factored and hitting my brakes hard.  I chose the latter.  This resulted in the car behind me hitting me from behind.  I wasn't knocked from my cycle, it just pushed me forward, thankfully behind the oncoming car. 

Ok, seeing the yellow, I should have started braking, not continuing through the intersection.  That would have been the safest thing, and should have given the guy behind me time to brake. 

That should have been bad enough.  However, I turn around to see the guy who hit me stick his head out, wave his arms and I hear him say, "Get the f*ck out of my way!  I should smash your f*ucking head in, white boy."

My response was to lay my bike down and roar at him, "Chill out!  Just chill out!"  Although I'm abhor violence, I am the Dragon of eastern mythology, and I can appear very ferocious if provoked.  I had no intention of starting something with him, but I'm sure he could see in my eyes that if he started something, I knew I would be the one to finish it.  He slunk back into his car and rolled up his window.  I'm content with the scratches on his hood from the wire basket on the back of my bike; I need no more retribution.

Don't worry, Mr. Black Opel, I've got your number: 38469.

glad your alright it could have been messy

We (in JA) are very happy to hear that you are okay, Mike....there is so much pent up rage in Bermuda, what makes me wonder is how the person whose fault it was, had the audacity to shout out those obnoxious and racist remarks to you...I must say you are a calm person, I could not have taken it, even as woman!  I would have been out there telling him about himself and his you know what!!

I just thought of something - not meant to be offensive at all, but....why is it that I live in Jamaica, where at least 90% of this country is black, and the other 10%, Lebanese, chinese, white, mixed, etc....and I am considered white, and I have NEVER in my lifetime of 38 years EVER experienced anyone in this country calling me "white girl" or cussing me off in that fashion?

I have been in many situations here traffic wise, whereby the two of us had words, but never, ever, words to any racist effect.?

As I said in one of my other posts, the first time someone called me "mixed white", was in Bermuda.? I never looked at myself or anyone else in terms of colour.? It was actually shocking to me, when I heard that.

Jamaica, of all places, you would think would have this problem.? No, we don't.

I say as we say in JA "NUFF RESPECT TO EVERYONE, NO MATTER YOUR COLOUR OR CREED"

Mike, you know, I think sometimes the problem too, is that you should have really stood up to that man, and asked him why he had to play the race card.? Maybe it is time to stand up and just ask people who insist on playing the race card, why?

sorry to hear you had an accident and such a miserable experience dealing with MORE ignorant attitudes...glad to hear you're alright.  I just can't understand why it is necessary to play the race card for EVERYTHING, i mean it's used so much that i'm beginning to REALLY believe that it's a crutch given to the ignorant to use as something to keep them upright and not walking with their knuckles...we are all the same people, melanin doesn't make a person it makes a pigment.

I agree 100% with Jam.Girl it should be a CALLING card "Nuff respect to everyone, no matter your colour or creed".

CC

uh do you know the guy that had the accident with mike...and who are you referring to when you say "...all of em!"?  I hope we haven't digressed back to generalizations again...

CC

thanks for the heads up Mike...i read the thread...uh 'special' indeed.  I'm glad that you venting has taken away from the possible negativity you could have harbored due to such an unfortunate incident.  This site is a blessing i tell ya, a blessing.

CC

I've split this thread as the discussion has veered from the original topic and is better suited to the Rant Room.