# Asking an African-American woman to give up a bus seat in the handicapped section makes me racist? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 17, 2013, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137 "2013-11-17T19:02:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137/141 "2013-11-19T01:00:19Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Do you people not realize that sitting in the back of the bus is an idiom for discrimination? How can you have lived in this country and not know that? How can you be surprised when someone points it out? Also, how can people be surprised when “maybe they’re pregnant” is taken as racist? It speaks directly to the “welfare queen” stereotype and the notion that black females breed babies and expect the system to take care of them. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137/142 "2013-11-19T01:11:58Z")
> [@sleestak](#): > > And some people make up context so that they can further their agenda. And some people are seriously nuts and all of their posts need to be read through that lens. Granted, it’s not \*impossible \*that I could become disabled, get on a crowded bus, and politely explain to a couple black teenagers that I was disabled and ask them to let me sit down, and they could respond like assholes. Unlikely, but not impossible. But if I told this story, with a history of screaming at strangers for bizarre reasons, well, probably no one would assume my version of the story was accurate. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137/143 "2013-11-19T01:16:01Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > So I was told Friday night. The bus was crowded, but there were some seats in the back. Being both elderly and handicapped, I asked two teenaged African-American girls to please let me sit down. > > They refused, saying “This ain’t the 60’s. I ain’t gotta sit in the back of the bus, you racist.” > > I told them I was both older than they were and handicapped. But no. “You just want us to sit in the back, like a racist.” > > Sign. Life is hard sometimes. OP ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137/144 "2013-11-19T01:29:11Z")
> [@sleestak](#): > > And some people make up context so that they can further their agenda. > > **Loach** , where EXACTLY does she say she asked them to move ‘to the back of the bus?’ > > Or are you just using that term because you know it is loaded and are trying to make a case for racism where none exists? > > Slee Post #1, sentence #2. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137/145 "2013-11-19T01:31:49Z")
> [@Blackberry](#): > > And some people are seriously nuts and all of their posts need to be read through that lens. > > Granted, it’s not \*impossible \*that I could become disabled, get on a crowded bus, and politely explain to a couple black teenagers that I was disabled and ask them to let me sit down, and they could respond like assholes. Unlikely, but not impossible. But if I told this story, with a history of screaming at strangers for bizarre reasons, well, probably no one would assume my version of the story was accurate. Yeah, plus young people not getting up for older people on the bus is something Annie’s bitched about before, so… ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137/146 "2013-11-19T01:34:44Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Post #1, sentence #2. you and your damned facts and reading comprehension skills! ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137/147 "2013-11-19T01:59:24Z")
> [@simster](#): > > you and your damned facts and reading comprehension skills! Its a burden. This thread reminds me of a line in _Zelig_ that has stuck with me because of its brilliant absurdity. > [@](#): > > He was the guy who smashed my car up. It was brand new. Then he backed-up over my mother’s wrist. She’s elderly… and uses her wrist a lot. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137/148 "2013-11-19T02:10:19Z")
> [@armedmonkey](#): > > I don’t see why. _You_ are the only one that is leaping from “sixteen and pregnant” to racism. You seem to have a hangup here. What makes you assume that any reference to teenage pregnancy has to be a racial thing? Because black people in the United States have a high rate of teen pregnancy, and the OP was riffing on that racial stereotype when she made her little joke. As racial offenses go it’s pretty mild, so is there any way we could all stop pretending to be confused? ---
**Author:** ![Tequila\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a6a055/32.png) [@Tequila\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tequila_Party)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137/149 "2013-11-19T02:12:48Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#): > > You are guilty of Speaking While White. Nuff said. I haven’t read many posts of yours, but every single one has been a bastion of stupidity. That must be hard work, so I say good show, man! ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137/150 "2013-11-19T02:19:49Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Because black people in the United States have a high rate of teen pregnancy, and the OP was riffing on that racial stereotype when she made her little joke. As racial offenses go it’s pretty mild, so is there any way we could all stop pretending to be confused? I’m not confused, I just think it’s a stretch because of the sign. The joke would have worked just as well if they were white males. If somebody is sitting under a sign that says “for pregnant persons”, I don’t think pregnancy is off-limits. YMMV, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137/151 "2013-11-19T02:32:14Z")
> [@armedmonkey](#): > > I’m not confused, I just think it’s a stretch because of the sign. The joke would have worked just as well if they were white males. If somebody is sitting under a sign that says “for pregnant persons”, I don’t think pregnancy is off-limits. YMMV, of course. Well, it’s a different “joke” if the people were male. Obviously, males cannot be pregnant. Teenage girls can be pregnant, and it’s not generally considered a positive thing if they are. Everyone knows that and everyone knows that’s why the OP said what she did (and also reported it as a witty retort), so why pretend? A lot of things could be said harmlessly to one person and hurtfully to another. It’s not that hard to understand. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137/152 "2013-11-19T04:14:39Z")
Right. Saying it about White males would be supposed to be funny because of its absurdist nature. Saying it about teen Black girls would supposed be funny because its what White racists think Black teen girls always are. Not so far off from the [**Bill Door** comment](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=16855633&postcount=14)(that I hope was intended to be making fun of the op) about how he’d have said “Be sure to tell your parents all about this if you ever meet them.” Saying “maybe she’s pregnant” about a 26 year old woman wouldn’t be funny and wouldn’t be worth saying. Other than idle actual speculation. If she did not mean it in that racist sense then she is just very very clueless to not realize that many others would hear it like that. Obviously I am not alone here in hearing it like that. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137/153 "2013-11-19T05:16:55Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by sleestak View Post > And some people make up context so that they can further their agenda. > > Loach, where EXACTLY does she say she asked them to move ‘to the back of the bus?’ > > Or are you just using that term because you know it is loaded and are trying to make a case for racism where none exists? > > Slee Post #1, sentence #2. > [@Loach](#): > > Post #1, sentence #2. Disclaimer, I understand that the OP has a history of being a wee bit um, …pushy?..on public transport, but to say she told the girls to move to the back is inaccurate. Sentence 2 is the GIRLs saying they’re not going to move to the back of the bus, not the OP. The first part of the post she only says that (paraphrased) she observed that the bus was crowded but that there were seats in the back, she does not say that she told the girls there were seats in the back or that she told them that’s where she wanted them to go, she merely asked to sit down. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137/154 "2013-11-19T06:05:28Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Similar to the handicap stalls in the bathroom - you don’t use them until there are no other choices available. _Hahaha!_ Thanks, this thread needed some comic relief…😉 ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137/155 "2013-11-19T06:12:31Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > to say she told the girls to move to the back is inaccurate. > > Sentence 2 is the GIRLs saying they’re not going to move to the back of the bus, not the OP. No, you are looking at **paragraph** 2. **Sentence** 2 says: “The bus was crowded, but there were some seats in the back.” ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137/156 "2013-11-19T06:34:27Z")
(Sorry for the double post, I didn’t think to add this until the edit window had closed.) I find it odd that several people seem predisposed to believe that it wasn’t really the _back_ of the bus where the teens were being directed. The OP clearly said that it was. What preconceived notions are people bringing to the situation that causes them to ignore this? It’s not like it was buried in one sentence of a densely written 20-page exposition. It was right there, in the _first_ line of the _first_ post. Let me ask a question to those who claim that the place the girls were being asked to move was not in the back: Assume, for the sake of the discussion, that it was definitely, undeniably the back of the bus. Now … do you feel any differently about matters? If so, why? If not, why were you so keen on claiming it wasn’t the back in the first place? ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137/157 "2013-11-19T06:40:15Z")
I know I was talking about the “pregancy” thing, and I still stand by what I said. I will agree to disagree, but I also want to say something about this incident. I don’t understand why she just didn’t keep walking to the back of the bus if there were seats open. I get that the wrist injury is going to make it hard to hold onto the straps when the bus is in motion, but there are open seats. Her reason stated was that she didn’t want to fall. Yet, she had to climb the stairs into the bus to begin with, and she has never mentioned any problems with mobility, so why does a few more feet matter? **Annie X-Mas** may very well be racist. Or she may not be. That’s almost irrelevant though, because she comes across as very self entitled when she’s riding the bus. I have no doubt that if the teenaged girls were white, we would get a similar amount of self entitlement - it would just have a different flavor. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137/158 "2013-11-19T07:09:54Z")
This thread has been extremely informative. I now know how to file Annie-Xmas in my categories of dopers. And while Vinyl Turnip turned in a solid offering, Funniest Response of the Thread Award has to go to MeanOldLady. Thanks for an entertaining read, all. And thanks for reminding me that OP was the umbrella lady. And for sharing that bit about the iPhone on public bus use. ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137/159 "2013-11-19T07:59:39Z")
There probably aren’t a lot of avatar users participating in this thread, but it’s kind of funny to see these accusations of racism posted right under the [OP’s avatar](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/image.php?dateline=1226681776&type=profile). When I first read the OP it never even occurred to me to think the pregnant remark could be racial. I just took it to be a sarcastic remark implying that pregnancy is the only reason an apparently able-bodied teenager would be entitled to claim a handicapped seat. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137/160 "2013-11-19T08:02:57Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#): > > There probably aren’t a lot of avatar users participating in this thread, but it’s kind of funny to see these accusations of racism posted right under the [OP’s avatar](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/image.php?dateline=1226681776&type=profile). “Of course I’m not racist! Some of my best friends are black!” 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-an-african-american-woman-to-give-up-a-bus-seat-in-the-handicapped-section-makes-me-racist/674137.md?page=9)