-
“Watson said, “I cannot understand how I could have said what I am quoted as having said. There is no scientific basis for such a belief.” But his publicist…would not say whether Dr. Watson believed he had been misquoted.”
-
“Now we’re not saying this is the best of hip-hop, but we’re definitely saying…it’s the best example I’ve seen of an artist utilizing the power of the Web to break his career. Sure, Cassie broke on YouTube, but how many records did she sell?”
-
“Then he was walking past a restaurant when a man jumped out of a car and handed him the keys. He had been mistaken for a valet. To me, this was a clear example of how race can blind some white people to everything else. “
-
“Under a program created by Congress in 1921, Native Hawaiians with strong bloodlines can get land for a home for $1 a year. Those with more mixed ancestry still receive many other benefits, including low-interest loans…”
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of 
Free wrote:
I’ve been mistaken for a hotel maid (excuse me, we need some towels). White people get into elevators and expect me to push the floor button for them. One instance really stands out: in Seattle a business woman entered the elevator and in a commanding voice barked, “16,” which startled me so much that I reflexively pushed the button. We looked at each other and when I saw smug superiority radiating from her face I got so pissed off that I proceed to randomly push floor buttons and then got off at the next possible floor. Oh, the expression of shock and surprise on her face - I’m happy just thinking about it.
In Italy I have been mistaken for kitchen help, shoplifter, and prostitute.
In fact, I wonder how many women of color that read this blog have been mistaken for prostitutes.
Posted 20 Oct 2007 at 6:29 am ¶
Lyonside wrote:
I love how Dr. Watson pulled the Michael Richards defense (TM) - he got hit on the head by the racism fairy and has no idea how those words got into his mouth. (here’s a clue - the brain had something to do with it).
That’s OK, Nobel or not, the man hasn’t had much clout for science-loving me since I learned how he dissed Rosalind Franklin for being, you know, a woman… never mind that her work helped him get that Nobel in the first place.
Posted 20 Oct 2007 at 12:38 pm ¶
hoo_boy wrote:
Lyonside: Note the careful choice of words– I don’t think he drafted the statement himself, as he’s already on his book tour and been relieved of his leadership duties “for the time being” while the center put out that comment.
Free: I remember an Xmas party in DC at a hotel, I was the only black person out of 500+ people. Towards the end of the evening, I’m decked out in my tux, drunken white couple hands me coat check tix. White attendant shows up shortly thereafter with my overcoat, they look at me with s*** on their tongues as I turn on my heels and walk out the door. Go figure…
Posted 20 Oct 2007 at 4:49 pm ¶
Mike wrote:
As a black man Ive been mistaken for every d@mn thing, waiter, janitor, stock boy, cook, and my favorite the handyman, what irks me is when your own people do it to you. I had a black woman proceed to to walk up to me inside a condo complex and complain to me about her toilet. No hello, excuse me, just straight into the toilet. The only thing I could do was listen say yeah I’ll get some one on it and then go about what I was doing anyway.
Man I love this, Dr. Watson has proven the law that all the education in the world doesnt mean you have a lick of common sense. He should recieve the Noble prize again, he has my vote.
Posted 21 Oct 2007 at 3:05 am ¶
hotcoffy007 wrote:
@Free, I cannot tell you how many times, I have been mistaken for a prostitute. There must be an underground network that works out of Fry’s( electronic store). Let’s not talk about being the only Black girl in a bar. ugh!
Posted 21 Oct 2007 at 1:45 pm ¶
Neneh wrote:
I was mistaken for a prostitute while visiting France when I was 15. I thought it was a compliment *sigh* *grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr*
Posted 22 Oct 2007 at 8:38 am ¶
gatamala wrote:
I’ve gotten the store clerk questions and police harrassment while waiting for a friend in Mexico- I guess I looked suspicious.
I was at BBY or Linens & Things with another black friend. We were clearly examining a bedspread display. This lady comes up and asks us where something is. My friend said, “Do they think that we sleep in bathtubs?” You should have seen her face! I bet she won’t do that again.
Lyonside - thx for bringing up Rosalind Franklin!
Posted 22 Oct 2007 at 10:25 am ¶