Enough already Alia

Well, yesterday on my train ride to school I saw something up close and in person that I had never seen before; two people carrying on a conversation in a language that had clicks.  You know, it was one of those African languages that kind of sounds like Klingon but totally isn’t.  Well, I sat and listened.  It was pretty cool to hear.  I think everyone on that car was listening to the click talkers.

The train was pretty crowded with a variety of different people from clearly different cultural backgrounds.  Now, I hate to stereotype (not really), but people follow predictable patterns.  The white folks on the train tried their hardest not to stare or act as if they even noticed the click click talk.  That’s what they do best.  They don’t want anyone to think they’re judgmental or, God forbid, racist!

But, black folks, my people, why oh why must you clown?  Sadly, the black folks on my car took this opportunity to laugh, point and mimic the click talk.  It was… well, it was something.  The click talkers looked slightly annoyed but chose to ignore the mockery and continue their conversation.  They got off the train at Sox 35th.  Maybe they were going to IIT; who knows.

I guess I was kind of sad.  No one really wants to be stereotyped, I thought.  But to behave in such a ridiculous manner in mixed company lends itself to judgment.  I mentioned this incident to someone and this person said that maybe those people on the train weren’t the ones who cared about stereotypes.  While that may be true, what about the people who do?