[Roamsaffots]

Absolutely love both of your comments.
American racists who call black people "Canadians" (which I had never of heard of until I read this morning's newspaper) presumably know that there aren't many blacks here. The implication is not that Canadians are black, but that blacks are like Canadians.
Do not underestimate your enemy; this is not ignorance it is called xenophobia. They know we are tolerant. Hence the epithet.
I agree that middle aged white guys like us are given the benefit of the doubt (by the Man as Doheny says) because we look like them. That is why I would rather introduce myself as a teacher, copyeditor and/or student at the border. If I say jazz/reggae/blues/funk/rock bassist-guitarist then I probably will rate a second glance at least. Middle class white guys seldom experience being "treated ... with impunity"(), so even if they play jazz they can sometimes remain a little naive even regarding the true nature of their own activities; they may not feel revolutionary but the actions of the authorities suggest otherwise.
Not only are we playing black music (not my terminology, but...) we are admitting the genius, as I said, of ex slaves who have an obvious stake in working for change in the system. We may look like the Man (to use Doheny's word) but the hihat on two and four gives us away. Hence the danger -- not only to us but to them.
Sophistication is the enemy of the racist myth because education is the antidote to ignorance. Hence, the ones who "drink scotch and listen to jazz" are naturally regarded with suspicion by the working class such as border guards. Far from a persecuted minority, white middle class middle aged males such as myself have a responsibility to parse the issues clearly and engage in constructive conversation where appropriate. To learn to play jazz and to learn what that means, too; we have the power, whether we want it or not, to change the system. It is our gift and an honour to be entrusted with the chance to make a difference in the world.
And to avoid melodrama wherever possible!
Thanks for your comments. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think all of this relates directly to our young lion Morgan and his misfortunes.
One Love again
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