You don't want to take us just because we're black

9 Comments

Tags:

"You don't want to take us just because we're black," says the teenager in the middle; his two compatriots nod assent. Goddamnit, they played the race card. It wasn't that at all. I hesitated to take them because they came from the opposite side of the street as the address on the order, which is a red flag. I didn't see them come out of a specific house—not good. They surrounded the cab all at once and started pulling on the doors in a way that was really disconcerting.

"Look, we have money." Indeed, all three of them have rolls that would choke a horse. Which is another red flag, in a way. That also makes me feel guilty, because this happens a lot. I don't think I've ever had a white passenger who felt compelled to show me his money up front without being asked—indeed, they usually take offense at being asked. That this is routine with my black passengers is rather indicative.

Anyway, now they're in the cab, and we head for Gresham. Once we get there, by unspoken accord they bolt. Normally I'd have locked the doors once rolling, but had been so discomfited by thinking about the race issue that I forgot. And you know, I sincerely doubt that any of the three teenagers would have knocked me down in the street and taken $25 from my wallet. But that is in effect exactly what they did, and I can't do a goddamn thing about it.

12.13.2005 at 10:00 Reply

Story Forum Archive

You don't want to take us just because we're blackFirst they complain and pull the race card and then compound it by doing a theft of services - proving that they are not trustworthy - hmmm if you are going to complain about the perception that being black is a negative thing and then you reinforce the thinking with a criminal act - don't be surprised when people think the worst. —Kong

You don't want to take us just because we're blackCabbies should have a good idea on what it would cost to drive a client to a particular destination. Hell, charge them when they get in the car. that'll fix chumps like the knuckleheads you gave the ride.—Carlos

You don't want to take us just because we're blackRace has nothing to do with it - don't pick up suspicious looking/acting teenagers! —Jason

12.16.2005 at 10:00 Reply

You don't want to take us just because we're blackMy dentist now asks up front for the 50% of the cost of work he is planning to do that he knows my insurance doesn't cover. Maybe an after hours deposit is not outrageous. But, can you get away doing that with everybody? Maybe a sign, like the ones thatself-serve gas stations in other states have "Pre-Pay After Dark" would work. Sorry that those people took advantage of your fair nature.—Rick in Nebraska

12.17.2005 at 10:00 Reply

You don't want to take us just because we're blackI take it the pdx view of this theft is that it is the cabby's fault. Wrong. First it is the fault of parents who have raised pissant kids. Second it is the teenagers at fault for being street thug hustlers in the making. And third, it is the fault of every apologist in this country who lets this race card crap fall at will, usually just before or just after some affront brought on by poorly raised insults to their own ethnicity. And the cabby should never, ever not trust her own judgement again, because the results can be far worse than a ride- and- run passenger.—john

12 Next »