re: #52 bj

Calling someone a ‘shoeshine’ boy is not racial, it’s derogatory and meant to be demeaning. Showshine “boys” who put food on the table and paid bills might disagree with derogatory. It’s an honest job, lots of people did it to make a living. There’s nothing derogatory about it except for the intent of the person trying to slur … which isn’t possible unless one takes it that way. Shoeshine Boys Arise and Laugh in the faces of all who would demean and denigrate a worthy profession and hard-working people. (Some women/girls did it too.)

Then you must be 18 years old. Because back in the day many blacks could not find work that didn’t invlove kneeling at the feet of their benefactors.