Yesterday, I went out to celebrated one of my friend's twentieth birthday. That's right, twenty. We're all turning twenty this year. Well, I'm the last of that particular friend group, the baby, but it's happening. That's crazy. Twenty years of life.
ANYway, not what I wanted to write about. While we were sitting at our table, having finished out delicious meal, and were carrying on general conversation. Now, I don't remember how we got to this point, but one of my friends was telling a story about how she couldn't find her brother at church. She wasn't able to spot her brother because he had such a dark tan. "I thought he was a native guy." I am not the reigning expert on racism, and I have no idea what's okay and what's not, but if it feels like something other people shouldn't be hearing, maybe don't say it. I felt so uncomfortable as this conversation carried on. What if someone who identified as "native" overheard our conversation? But then again, that is honestly what she thought, so it must be okay for her to tell us. Is it the use of the word "native" that is the trigger for my discomfort? Perhaps, but I think it has more to do with tone in which she said it. Canadians today, especially the ones in the area I'm from, have a very poor perception of the Aboriginal people in our area. There are some pretty sketchy reserves, and there's a general sense of fear and distaste concerning Aboriginal people.
I'm just wondering where the line is. Is there one? If it feels off to describe someone as a "native guy," I should probably avoid such things. Am I too sensitive?
Had a job interview today. Felt well good. Fingers crossed!
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