Welcome to Ask Willie D, Rocks Off's advice column where the Geto Boys MC answers reader questions about matters, in his own words, "funny, serious or unpredictable." Something on your mind? Ask Willie D!
DO I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SELL OR GIVE AWAY MY EX-BOYFRIEND'S BELONGINGS?
Dear Willie D:
My boyfriend and I broke up three weeks ago due to his cheating and lying ways. When he moved out a couple of days later he only took his clothes with him; all other items such as kitchenware and jewelry are still in my house. I sent him a text message and an email stating that he needs to make arrangements to come get these things by the end of the month.
I also told him that if he didn't come get it by that time the stuff would be sold, or given to charity. Despite how I feel that he could have moved his belongings with him the day he left, do you feel that I'm being harsh?
Personal Belongings:
No, you're not being harsh; you're being sensible. By the time your deadline arrives your ex would have had a month or so to collect his things. That's plenty of time to get your stuff out of someone's house if you want it.
Be mindful that if you sell his things or give them away, he may try to sue you to recover the costs of the items. Nevertheless, if I were in your shoes I would probably feel the same way. When the relationship is over, crap from your ex is the last thing you need or want to see.
AM I CONDITIONED TO THINK WHITE PEOPLE ARE NATURALLY AFRAID OF ME?
Dear Willie D:
I'm a Chicano leaving in America. When I am walking and I see a white person in the distance, I tend to feel like they are afraid of me. I do have a few tattoos, but I do not feel I look like I intend to cause harm. However, I notice a change in their demeanor when I walk by as if they are hoping I don't rob them or something.
So are they conditioned to be afraid of me or am I conditioned to believe they are afraid of me?
Chicano in America:
There are many despicable people in the world who people would rather avoid, and whenever we have bad experiences with one person or a few from a particular group or ethnicity, we tend to judge all members of that ethnicity or group based on those experiences because we have been taught not to trust each other.
Some white people are conditioned to be afraid of you and that's their problem. You are conditioned to believe that "all" white people are afraid of you; that's your problem. The reason for the mistrust on both sides is because when we encounter perceived fear, our minds are automatically programmed to make snap judgments.
Personally, I don't trust anybody. Depending on where I am when walking, if someone passes by me, even if it's an old crippled grandma toting a Bible and selling ice cream, I might also have a change in demeanor. There's a bunch of nuts out there, and I'm not trying to get cracked by one.
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