Racist jokes were on the rise and from every angle. It just became socially acceptable to bring back some very deep rooted hatred for an entire race.
My inbox flooded with emails from friends, family, and co-workers of drawings of the Obama's as monkeys. Or some other extremely offensive reference.
I even visited a local bar, called The Barn, so that should preface this appropriately. This was 2009. I walked into what normally was just a bunch of people my age drinking and having a good time, now became a sea of camo-wearing, mud-loving, pseudo-rednecks who found it fashionable to cling to their new "roots". I wouldn't have cared if I didn't also hear a few snickering jokes, including "I bet he voted for Obama."
I immediately became uncomfortable, seeing as I was outnumbered about 100 to 1. My friends begged me to stay and to not pay it any attention. Easier said that done.
This is when I found safety in a group of people most would believe to be the pinnacle of racism. Bikers.
There was a crew of old bikers by the bar, where I walked over to. I was with a group of friends, including some loose women who were dancing all over me, trying to cheer me up.
One of the guys smiled and said "I like the way you roll." I laughed, and said "I got a lot of issues. This ain't one of them" He laughed and bought me a beer.
We all started talking and laughing. I told them about my step-dad's biker club back in N.Y. around the late 80's. They knew of The Unknowns and The Chingalings.
"Brother, You're one of us. So don't mind those fucking punks," said my new roughneck buddy.
Strange. A big, dark Puerto Rican, at a country themed bar, made friends with a crew of guys who knew exactly what it felt like to be singled out for no reason. Life is strange like that.
How does this all play into the story of 2 teen girls who post a ridiculous video about black people? Simple. I don't think videos like this would be popping up if the racism didn't permeate in the home. People aren't born to hate. They are taught it. Those girls got these impressions from somewhere. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to deduce mommy or daddy walks around the house touting hatred for Obama and blacks in general.
Don't get me wrong. I still think they have every right to say whatever they feel. However, let's not forget these are two dimwitted girls who sit around brushing their hair and breaking boys hearts instead of focusing on school and enjoying. There is a way to articulate your opinion of other cultures.
Look at Daniel Tosh. His show is chock-full-o-racism. His black jokes are borderline offensive. Yet, his comedic approach reminds you he is exercising his right to free speech. His ratings are high because people love to bask in stereotypes and sexual euphemisms if they make you laugh. Change the tone, and it becomes socially unacceptable.
Groundbreaking black comedian, Patrice Oneal, was one of the first to stand up for Don Imus, who was canned after making references about Rutger's University Basketball players. Calling them "nappy headed hoes" when he just couldn't find the words to say they were a rough looking group of women. He did exactly what he was paid to do, which is get people riled up.
Patrice passed away in 2011. We lost a great voice of reason. Now, without further delay, watch the unedited video of these two idiots below. Feel free to leave comments.

RSS Feed