Is There Racial Tension in Seattle?, Read Up Options

[fameONE]

Pioneer Square. Capitol Hill. Belltown. Downtown. I hate to generalize the entire metropolitan for these specific areas, but work with me, people.

By now, many of you know that I've been stuck in Seattle for a few nights. And me being me, I'm not shy about going out and exploring a given area for my own amusement, but for everything that Seattle appeared to be my first night here, I was shocked and disappointed by what I discovered during night two.

I couldn't understand it, but even in the more thriving parts of the city, there was hardly a soul on the street. Granted it was a bit chilly, I dealt with it fine and I wasn't even dressed for type of weather. A lot of people drive, public transportation is horribly unreliable, taxi service ethics are questionable and the boys in blue aren't shy about mean-muggin' three minorities walking around in a city thats mostly White and Asian.

During my first night, I ran into a Sailor who was waiting to go back to Japan after some R&R. He and I ran into a similar problem regarding ticketing so we shared the frustration and the eagerness to go out and explore the city. Since it was a Thursday, it was expected that the cold downtown streets would be empty and clubs wouldn't be jumping off. We still managed to find a trendy, upscale club/bar that was very welcoming. So why is it that, after spending 4 hours at that particular club the night before, we go there last night and got shafted at the door?

'I can tell you motherf**kers right now that you're not getting in.'
'Huh?'
'Dress code.'
*closes door

That was the story with half of the night. Timberlands, denim, jackets without collars and t-shirts are all against the dress code for most of the blubs in this entire city. And for three servicemen dressed casually for the warm weather, that f**ked everything up.

After making tireless attempts to make friends and ask people what clubs were tight (many were standoffish, women walked faster and put their heads down, most males looked like they wanted to fight), we heard of a club that we would enjoy because there was no dress code, they played hiphop and the drink specials were pleasing.

"534 Taylor Ave on the corner of Taylor and 6th. The club is aptly named '534' and its right across the street from the Space Needle."

That's pretty self explanatory, right? Even for someone who isn't from Seattle, that is rather specific, right? Ok, good, we're on the same page. So tell me why the cabbie played dumb, passed the street that he was supposed to turn on, turned around, did it again, ran the meter up and then tells us it goes by a different nickname. f**k the language barrier, he was trying to stick us for an extra buck. There is no reason a, what would be, 5 minute cab ride should cost 18 dollars.

"I know the club you are talking about but it is not by that name."
"Ok, then take us there."
"But you said 534!"
"If you know the club, muthafucka, then take us to the f**kin' club."
"But that is not the exact name of the club you gave me."
"Stop running up the meter and take us there. Does it look like we're from here?"
"You need to be more clear."
"I gave you specific f**kin' directions! Ok, f**k it, drop us off here."
"But you said 534 Taylor Ave?!"
***car comes to a stop light, we pile out to the street corner***
"Get the f**k on and go gank someone else for cash!"

I needed a drink, well, I thought I did, and then I remembered North Carolina. In Chapel Hill, I drank for a variety of reasons and it all ended up with me feeling emotionally and physically fatigued with a wicked hangover the next morning. I danced and that was the brief remedy.

BEWARE: ALL CAPS!!!

THE COPS IN SEATTLE MUST NOT BE ACCUSTOMED TO SEEING BLACK PEOPLE OUT IN THE TRENDIER PARTS OF TOWN. OR MAYBE THEY EXPECT BLACK PEOPLE TO BE CRIMINALS. WHATEVER THE CASE, THEY WEREN'T TOO KIND TO US. THIS WAS THE SAME FOR THE ENITRE CITY. WHAT REASON WOULD A COP HAVE TO STOP THREE BLACK GUYS AND ASK ALL THREE FOR IDs? THEN MUTTER, "FIGURES," WHEN HE SEES THAT WE'RE ALL MILITARY?

WHY DOES THIS CITY HATE THE MILITARY?

WHY DON'T THEY HAVE A CUTURAL IDENTITY OTHER THAN COFFEE SHOPS AND BOATS?

WHERE ARE THE BLACK/HISPANIC PEOPLE?

I avoided making this rant into one about oppression and ignorance and I didn't make any accusations or wild claims from atop a soapbox. But if you read this, you know where I'm going, right? Something about this city being ra--, I won't say it. You get it.

[moninja]

wow. some people are cranky.. i go to seattle a lot and i see a lot of black/hispanic people..
i'm speechless, people are so careless/heartless. they need to think twice before they do anything. i'm just shocked that that happened.