A scary moment happened to me this morning.

[max popenker]

so what's the point of decribing the individuals as black?

well, and what's the reason of describing individuals as 'tall', 'male' or 'human beings'?

Maybe because they are what they are - black, male, human beings, one of them tall?

 

[sernv99]

well, and what's the reason of describing individuals as 'tall', 'male' or 'human beings'?

I don't know, did the OP describe them as "tall"?

 

[mgkdrgn]

I will get gas near my house in a "safer" part of town.
I am have my CCL, but I was not carrying...

There is no "safer part of town" ... anywhere. If you have a CCL, then carry, always.

 

[mattd987]

Thanks for the replies and thoughts about my experience. It really does get you thinking about life and just how short things can really be.... in a split second. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I am truly thankful to have made it out of there safely.

I did not pump any gas... didn't even reach for the handle. I just quickly re-shut my gas lid and high-tailed back around my car.

I described the guys just to be descriptive. I am not a racist as I have plenty of friends that are of different color. I know that it sounds like a sterotype and I am not one to say things as such. It is just sad to see that it happens period.

So, be thinking to yourselves always... what would you do in a situation like that? I now know what I would do... just leave or avoid. If shots are fired, then I will just have to cross that bridge when it comes. Next time, I should be more prepared. I pray that there will not be a next time.

 

[Neocode]

To everyone who is more focused on worrying about the OP describing the individuals color.... seriously relax.

It is not racist to describe the individuals as he did. The news would likely describe them as such, and should he have called the police, they would have asked for the race of the perpetrators.

Being PC is great an all, but ya'll are taking it too far.

 

[Neocode]

so what's the point of decribing the individuals as black? Are you afraid of black folks?

I know I am when they happen to be waving a gun around and threatening people with it.

 

[woad_yurt]

I second mossberg & sernv99. It is an unneccessary designation. If it was for identification purposes, why was there no mention of the type of car they were in, the clothes they wore, etc? It wasn't germane to the story, especially since we're not taking down a police report here.

 

[Neocode]

I second mossberg & sernv99. It is an unneccessary designation. If it was for identification purposes, why was there no mention of the type of car they were in, the clothes they wore, etc? It wasn't germane to the story.

Read it again. He did describe the car. "Red car".

 

[woad_yurt]

Look up "gratuitous."

 

[mattd987]

Guys - please don't continue to discuss my choice of words in the description. This note was not meant to be racist or stereotype or whatever. I just described what I saw. If I were more cognizant as I was driving away, I would have gotten the license plate and make and model.

I don't want this thread to turn into something else at this point...

thanks.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

We were doing good last night.

I dont care if there are Martians from Mars in that red car. The problem situation is still the same. I aint PC, none of that. But there are just somethings you need to leave it be. The situation is what we need to worry about.

It could happen on any gas station anywhere in the USA if the right nuts gather to make it happen. Or the left nuts too for that matter.

 

[ZO6Vettever]

Mossburg, may I ask why you felt compelled to tell us you are white?

 

[Blackbeard]

I was also put off by the description of the people involved as "black guys". If they were all white would you describe them as "four white guys in a car", or just "four guys in a car"? Unless you're expecting us to go out and find them, identifiying race is for talking to the police. It'd be more helpful to the story if you described their general appearance. Were they well-dressed? Average looking? Thuggish? What was their general age and demeanor? I take it from the events that they weren't dressed in suits on their way to a board meeting.

 

[Toml]

People speak in generalities. So what. I saw two black guys face-to-face in an argument as I entered my building yesterday. It wasn't pleasant. But it happened.

Good idea to scram when you saw a sidearm pulled. You do park at the end pump so no one can pull in and block you from the front, don't you?

 

[Animal Mother]

It was a Valero gas station and I pulled into the last pump. Sharing the pump on the other side of me was a red car with 4 black guys in it. I noticed that there was another black guy standing in front of their car and words were being exchanged.

For the record I think it's a unnecessary designation to describe the company that owned the gas station or the fact that the individuals were driving a red vehicle or the fact that it was a car or even the fact that the individuals were male.

Seriously, get a grip. It is being PC in the extreme when you can't provide the most basic description of a person without accusations of racism. The other day I was at an ATM at dusk and two white guys got out of a white work truck and walked up to me. They asked me where the nearest barbershop was. I had my CCW piece on me but did not have to draw as they left after I answered their question and did not threaten me. Does my story make me a bigot or a racist? If so the Mods can feel free to delete my post.

 

[dobrzemetal]

For god sakes, don't use any details in your story, especially when describing people!!

Good job on getting away though, I would of done the same thing . I've had something similar happen to me as well. I used to buy gas at this one gas station in a bad area of town after work sometimes in the daytime with no problems. However, one time I went there after dark, and was approached by two black dudes asking me for some money when I was pumping gas. They told me their car ran out of gas down the road, I told them I only had plastic and then they started demanding I give them a ride. I told them No, then they got really verbally nasty, after they were done exchanging pleasantries with me they walked away. So, I went back to pumping my gas and I was just about done and looked over to see where they went (at the time I was more concerned with 4$ gas , and watching the price rise so fast it made my head spin) I saw the same guys walking back up only this time they had 2 more thug-looking black guys with them now. I assumed they were going to kick my ass and the bad thing was I was the only car there and I didn't have my gun on me or in my car. So, I hung up the pump and made a dash for my door. I got away safely but if I didn't look over to see those thugs walking up on me a second time I don't know how it would of ended, but I can assume the worst. Anyways, needless to say, I don't frequent that establishment anymore

 

[Hungry Seagull]

Animal Mother, Describing company names and places are important.

I drove all over the USA in my time and certain places of business comes into my mind and I just gotta tell you that these places are good and some are just BAAAD.

If we cannot freely talk about the sitaution through and through from top to bottom then somebody is having thier 1st Amendment rights squelched and I wont accept it here on the High Road.

 

[elrod]

Beware, the PC Police are on duty! IMHO, it is relevant to the story to provide as much factual information as possible to detail the situtation as it was. I would say it added color to the story, but I suppose I'd get flamed as well.
mattd987, sounds to me as if you handled the problem as well as you could, kudos to you!

 

[mossberg]

Mossburg, may I ask why you felt compelled to tell us you are white?

Bingo, the statement I've been waiting for!

When I stated my race, it was not in a negative way.

In the original story, the men were described as black (African-American). If their race was not stated, most people here would have assumed white right?

Why?

Anyway, stating someone's race should not be counted as for"Identification purposes" when used on it's own. It just isn't enough information, and is a stereotype against all black people.

I stated I was white to show I wasn't just being oversensitive as a member of the African-American race.

Z06Vettever, good for you.

 

[catspa]

mossberg:I stated I was white to show I wasn't just being oversensitive as a member of the African-American race.

Mmmmmkay, so you're being oversensitive as a member of the (presumably) Caucasian race. Thanks for clearing that up for us.

Parker

 

[chris in va]

If the cops were to take a statement they would ask what gender and race they were.

 

[sernv99]

If the cops were to take a statement they would ask what gender and race they were

so leave it to the cops

 

[Rellian]

At least he didn't get so offensive as to describe the race of the gun being brandished... (I mean we all know that it was probably a Glock)

 

[catspa]

Rellian:(I mean we all know that it was probably a Glock)

Aren't you ashamed to make such a "gunnist" remark? I mean, just because "Glock" and "gangsta" start with the same letter... These instances are quite rare involving an upstanding J-frame, especially one with distinguished looking wood grips.

Parker

 

[Rellian]

Hey man,.... some stereotypes exist for a reason.