Friday, April 22, 2005
My friend Doug is no longer working with me. He was laid-off recently. Though I know we’ll keep in touch, I’d like to spend a few moments and reflect on a relationship that was very unique for me.
Doug is a black man and holds a law degree from American University. Yes, that American University about which I had so many wonderful things to report in an earlier post. He grew up in Ohio to a father who was a World War One veteran and a mother who was extremely active in the Republican party. They were the only black family on the street. And, as if that weren’t unique enough, Doug’s grandfather was a slave. Now that I think about it, I doubt there is anyone on this planet with a similar background to his. So, naturally, we had some interesting discussions.
Before our daily conversations, I had never really talked in depth with someone who was black. I’ve had such discussions with people of other races/ethnicities, but I don’t recall any of them being with someone who was black.
I think we talked about every important and unimportant issue out there, from Beyonce to capital punishment. And it was a great experience. I taught him a few things about "white" culture (e.g. Q: "Mike, what’s up with that new salesman’s hair?" A: "Doug, that’s called a mullet."). He taught me some things about "black" culture. (e.g. dashikis).
In his youth, Doug was a semi-militant black activist—not quite Black Panther but close. Today, he has mellowed into more of a very moderate Republican. He told me that he likes conservatives because they are more apt to think logically through things and will listen to what you have to say. Generally, I think that’s true. One needs only to look at the recent spat of adolescent liberals throwing pies and drinks at invited conservative commentators (e.g. Buchanan, Horowitz, Coulter). Free speech only when you agree with it I suppose.
Doug, like fellow African-American Bill Cosby (though Doug doesn’t find him funny), laments the decline in black culture: From names like Shineequa to black women being portrayed as cheap whores in rap videos, he thinks that black culture must change. And he also is ready for us to leave Iraq, especially after spending $300 billion on the expedition. That is a steep figure.
Today marks a week since he was let go. He was a good guy, and will be missed.
Doug is a black man and holds a law degree from American University. Yes, that American University about which I had so many wonderful things to report in an earlier post. He grew up in Ohio to a father who was a World War One veteran and a mother who was extremely active in the Republican party. They were the only black family on the street. And, as if that weren’t unique enough, Doug’s grandfather was a slave. Now that I think about it, I doubt there is anyone on this planet with a similar background to his. So, naturally, we had some interesting discussions.
Before our daily conversations, I had never really talked in depth with someone who was black. I’ve had such discussions with people of other races/ethnicities, but I don’t recall any of them being with someone who was black.
I think we talked about every important and unimportant issue out there, from Beyonce to capital punishment. And it was a great experience. I taught him a few things about "white" culture (e.g. Q: "Mike, what’s up with that new salesman’s hair?" A: "Doug, that’s called a mullet."). He taught me some things about "black" culture. (e.g. dashikis).
In his youth, Doug was a semi-militant black activist—not quite Black Panther but close. Today, he has mellowed into more of a very moderate Republican. He told me that he likes conservatives because they are more apt to think logically through things and will listen to what you have to say. Generally, I think that’s true. One needs only to look at the recent spat of adolescent liberals throwing pies and drinks at invited conservative commentators (e.g. Buchanan, Horowitz, Coulter). Free speech only when you agree with it I suppose.
Doug, like fellow African-American Bill Cosby (though Doug doesn’t find him funny), laments the decline in black culture: From names like Shineequa to black women being portrayed as cheap whores in rap videos, he thinks that black culture must change. And he also is ready for us to leave Iraq, especially after spending $300 billion on the expedition. That is a steep figure.
Today marks a week since he was let go. He was a good guy, and will be missed.
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