Racism, Sexism, Prejudice and Stereotypes

Part deux
On the morning of the 23rd, I went to the base and as usual there is always a new driver signing with the company. In this case, it was a Haitian male. As we were having a conversation, (lets call her) Mary passes by and appears to recognize the new recruit. She greets him cheerfully and he responds coldly or rather unenthusiastically. Mary goes on her business. So the new driver and I have a conversation.

Moi: Do you know who that is
L'homme: No
Moi: Well, she runs this place
L'homme: I thought Ahmed does
MOi: Ahmed is the manager but Mary owns the base, so you better be enthusiastic next time you talk to her if you want to work in this town, I mean base.

I will tell you, I myself was not as unenthusiastic as this chap, but my first encounter could have been better had I known she ran the joint. Nonetheless, when she found out that I came from the continent, Mary told me that she had been to Kenya and was in Senegal every year for the past 5 years. If anything, she would be retiring in Senegal. I did urge her to visit Southern Africa. Tourism is probably my 'thang'. Mary and her hubby are from Korea, I actually have to find out which of the Korea's they are from cause I forgot.

To do list: Is it the South or North, have to find out

Racism, Sexism, Prejudice and Stereotypes

Part 1
(4/17 .. 12am) I am double parked on church avenue waiting for a pick up. So an Ivorian from my company triple parks to ask for the quickest way onto the Brooklyn Bridge ( which by the way was a right, a right and then a sharp left and you are on it). He must be a beginner I thought to myself. He had suddenly stopped in front of a minivan. The driver of the van was holding the horn in as good amount of time as I gave him the directions. One can only imagine how annoying that was.

My mouth had to say something, one of those involuntary blurts, "that wasn't necessary you know. Why would you do that", at which point I realized it was a middle aged Asian woman. She gave me a finger and drove off. I laughed cause I didn't see that coming. Even if I had seen it coming, I would have laughed. I havent heard of Asian people 'flipping the bird'. Only Blacks, Whites and Latinos.

When I get home I call my friend Lindie about the "flipping of the bird". She said I had to be careful what I say to people, they may think I was targeting them since the Virginia Tech shooting had just occured. She was right even though that was farthest from my mind. To the 'bird flipper', I may be prejudiced, racist, or other (wow).

Bloody blunder

I have been driving the black car and it is a totally different ball game. It is laid back and not a NYC yellow hustle. So the 2nd day I had started with this car service, I come from a job and get another in my system on Water street. Let me point out it was drizzling and a little cold. I head straight down to Water street and stop in front of the builing. A gentleman gets in the car and he asks me something to which I nod my head. We head on the FDR drive towards the GWBridge into new Jersey. As we get to the bridge, 10 minutes on our way in the midst of a good conversation, the dispatcher chirps me. "hey 210, got your pickup?" "Yes I did, I acknowledged it in the system".
"Where is passenger going?" dispatcher asks
"To Ridge Park, New Jersey" I replied.
"You got the wrong guy" dispatcher said
I was quiet for a good two minutes, continued on the bridge not knowing what to say. Since we were chirping, the passenger heard the whole conversation. So now I am trying to picture the the long time client for this car service, outside in the rain, obviously not outside but waiting to go home, stood up by the rookie, pacing up and down, stressing which I would.

I think, well he should have been outside, why did this one have to be outside. I know it was raining. I knew it, I should have continued driving the yellow. Didnt this guy in my car see my car number and car company name? Well I didnt get enough time to stop and pin the card to the right side of the window. Cant blame anyone but myself now.

So this passenger says "I asked you is this 239 when I got on board and you said yes"
So I say to him "I heard 2 blah blah, in the midst of the downpour and said yes, so what should we do".
"I am not going back there, we have gone too far to go back"
He sounded like someone that had watched enough of Harold and Kumar goes to White Castle. I cant blame him cause he was comfortable being chauffeured by a beautiful female (toot toot). And to top it off, good conversation, it's like having chocolate ice cream with coloured sprinkles.

End result, I drove half an hour into Jersey, dropped him got my 'hun ed and fitty' cash yea yah. Thas how we do, big tings.

Jokes aside, I felt really bad for messing up my job on the 2nd day. WIll I continue working with this company, will I be back in 'ole yellow'. Que sera, sera.

I just don't get it or do I?

I have turned heads driving a yellow and a towncar than I have been able to in my entire life on foot. I hear 'you are too beautiful to be driving a cab' (probably the most polite way to say 'oh there is a girl behind the wheel of a yellow cab').
The thing is no-one has ever said 'You are too beautiful to be riding on the #6 train, ride a jag or a bentley or something ( I have been in a half a million dollar rolls royce though).

In the words of Tina 'what's beauty got to do with'? (or is it love). No one has said to Barack Obama, you are too handsome to be senator or to run for presidential office, you should be a swimsuit model of some sort. (not delusions of grandeur on my part to make such a comparison).Go out there and be somebody by showing off your looks and not your skill and passion.

I accept the compliments though with gratitude. More women should get into this line of work, or maybe not, the whole city would come to a standstill as we all sit back and admire each other.

Now I get it, the compliments are probably to give me a sense of self worth so I can aim higher and not be a chauffeur in the city. Okay then lady drivers of the the buses, subway system, pedicabs, pilots and astronauts "you are beautiful, magnificent, incredible and superb".

On that note ladies, I hope you feel worthy enough to change your professions and aim higher.