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Sleeping in EQ · 04-11-2006, 04:49 PM

Yesterday evening I was riding home from school on the bus. Some black teenagers got on and one of them threw a wad of paper at the white driver when he wasn't looking. A black woman in front of them said, "You know better than that! You were taught better than that!" as the teens walked by. They looked a little ashamed, but walked to the back of the bus.

A minute or so later they started being really loud. They were cussing and stomping. The bus driver asked them to quiet down, but this black lady in front of me gave them a glare and motioned for them to come and sit with her. They did so.

I came to find out that she lived next door to some of them.

She proceeded to give them a first class dressing down. She went off on racism and how while some whites were racist most of those did so out of ignorance and that if we're nice to people they'll often be nice back--whatever their race. She then went all "Black Church Bibleschool" (her words) on them and told them to develop their talents, make something of themselves, and get "right" with the Lord.

One of the kids asked her if she was telling them to act white. She said no, and that black folks could enjoy a distinctive culture without acting like thugs. She then said that if black people showed love for their white neighbors the "white folks" would find more in black culture to appreciate. She then said the white folks aren't some "other," they're our neigbors like Jesus said.

I just sat there quietly listening the whole time, but when I got up for my stop I looked at the woman and said, "Amen sister. That's the best thing I've heard in a long time. God bless you."

She smiled, said "God bless you too. God bless you too." and we had a hearty handshake.

We need more people like her.

JohnnyLingo · 04-11-2006, 06:42 PM

That is an excellent story.

I agree 100%: we need more people like this woman. Of all races, nationalities, and religions. The would would be a better place.

bluegoose · 04-11-2006, 07:21 PM

Yes, Good story EQ.

Was this in Iowa City? I've been there a couple of times. Perhaps I was in the wrong side of town, but not a whole lot of racial diversity from what I saw. Is it more diverse than other parts of the state?

MikeWaters · 04-11-2006, 07:25 PM

I was going to say, after reading your account, that JohnnyLingo was apt to add her to his list of "people who get it."

Sleeping in EQ · 04-11-2006, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluegoose

Yes, Good story EQ.

Was this in Iowa City? I've been there a couple of times. Perhaps I was in the wrong side of town, but not a whole lot of racial diversity from what I saw. Is it more diverse than other parts of the state?

Yes, it was in Iowa City. Iowa City is not racially diverse by any real standard, but it's much more diverse than is small-town Iowa. The University brings some diversity and it isn't too far from some more industrial (and more racially diverse) towns like Cedar Rapids and Davenport.

04-11-2006, 04:49 PM	#1
Sleeping in EQ Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The People's Republic of Monsanto Posts: 3,085	The Black Woman on the Bus Yesterday evening I was riding home from school on the bus. Some black teenagers got on and one of them threw a wad of paper at the white driver when he wasn't looking. A black woman in front of them said, "You know better than that! You were taught better than that!" as the teens walked by. They looked a little ashamed, but walked to the back of the bus. A minute or so later they started being really loud. They were cussing and stomping. The bus driver asked them to quiet down, but this black lady in front of me gave them a glare and motioned for them to come and sit with her. They did so. I came to find out that she lived next door to some of them. She proceeded to give them a first class dressing down. She went off on racism and how while some whites were racist most of those did so out of ignorance and that if we're nice to people they'll often be nice back--whatever their race. She then went all "Black Church Bibleschool" (her words) on them and told them to develop their talents, make something of themselves, and get "right" with the Lord. One of the kids asked her if she was telling them to act white. She said no, and that black folks could enjoy a distinctive culture without acting like thugs. She then said that if black people showed love for their white neighbors the "white folks" would find more in black culture to appreciate. She then said the white folks aren't some "other," they're our neigbors like Jesus said. I just sat there quietly listening the whole time, but when I got up for my stop I looked at the woman and said, "Amen sister. That's the best thing I've heard in a long time. God bless you." She smiled, said "God bless you too. God bless you too." and we had a hearty handshake. We need more people like her. __________________ "Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; " 1 Thess. 5:21 (NRSV) We all trust our own unorthodoxies.

04-11-2006, 06:42 PM	#2
JohnnyLingo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,175	That is an excellent story. I agree 100%: we need more people like this woman. Of all races, nationalities, and religions. The would would be a better place.

04-11-2006, 07:21 PM	#3
bluegoose Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,919	Yes, Good story EQ. Was this in Iowa City? I've been there a couple of times. Perhaps I was in the wrong side of town, but not a whole lot of racial diversity from what I saw. Is it more diverse than other parts of the state?

04-11-2006, 07:25 PM	#4
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	I was going to say, after reading your account, that JohnnyLingo was apt to add her to his list of "people who get it."