GO BACK WHERE YOU CAME FROM
———–This is one of those stories I remember like it was yesterday. I am not talking about remembering a major news event like the landing on the moon. I am talking about one specific personal incident that again, I remember like it was yesterday. I remember the exact words. I remember my reaction. Because of current events, the incident came back to the forefront of my mind.————–
———–It was 1974 when I was all of 14 years old and traveling the junior tennis circuit in Florida. I was pretty damn good, ranked in the top 20 in the state. I did have a sizzling forehand but my crappy backhand kept me from reaching bigger heights. I was at a tennis tournament in South Florida in a place called Sonesta beach. Between matches, a buddy of mine and I went to get something to eat. We found a small restaurant and decided to walk in. We were not sure what the sign meant but the sign on the right side of the door said “selective clientele only.” We walked in. As soon as our first step landed in the restaurant, we saw a woman (guessing in her mid 40s and to this day, remember exactly what she looked like) rush to the door telling us there were no tables for us. There was only one problem. There were plenty of tables available. And no, this was no private membership club. This was no Studio 54. It looked like a normal restaurant. Of course, me being ever the wise ass told her either she was blind or she just did not like us.———-
———Her next words were and are words I never forget. She stated that my friend was not welcome in the restaurant and he “should go back where he came from.” My friend was black. Again, me being the wise ass told her that my friend came from Miami Shores. She was not amused. She then figured out I was Jewish (not hard to figure out) and then told me “you should also go back where you came from Jew boy.” Me and my tennis buddy did not get upset. We actually laughed our ass off at her. I quickly told her what a #%@# she was and how she just lost our business. She did not care. Did I also say that a few people heard the conversation and did not react or say a word? We walked away. The woman slammed the door.———–
———At the age of 14, I had my first real taste of this kind of ignorance. I am sure it was not my buddy’s first taste. It was one of the greatest lessons I have ever learned and that is there should be no daylight on the subject of this type of ignorance. To this day, I have never forgotten that day. Just thought it worthy of mention today.———–
People should not make that comment to anyone. However, Trump should have said what a bunch of people including I have been thinking, directly his comments to their sick socialist policies they want to push forward and ruin this country. They would turn this country into a welfare state.
Puerto Rico where that biggest socialist is her background is a totally failed bankrupt economy, which was bankrupt long before the storm 100 percent because of their policies, and she is pushing that same garbage agenda here.
If they don’t want your business, copulate them. There are plenty of other places that will welcome you.
I have been struggling with the same thing the last few days. If I were in midtown and some guy told Orthodox Jewish folks to go home, or if here in Central Florida Puerto Ricans were told to go home to their shit hole country; Insane would be the only attribute I would think to describe such an individual. I am just stunned and sickened by this event. I saw an article today, that support actually went up for the President following this incident. People/media seem to be racing to argue over whether this is racist. If you have to define it with absolution; it is bigotry. The VERY definition. Complicity is not an option.
It is inconceivable to me this has become a mainstream discussion/debate.
I am sorry to hear of how you and your friend were treated when you were young. Thank you for sharing. I never thought that is a world we would return to in the late TwentyTeens, or ever.