The rich man by the sea

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

 

Moonlight glinted off crystal glasses. Patrons dined al fresco on fish caught from the sea that lapped close by. He inhaled, salty but fresh. So different than the village he grew up in. Some men huddled at the bar, sneaked glances at him, sneers and frowns. Words sailed on moonlight. “Darkie”. “Probably stole to get rich.” “They’re all crooks.”

He guessed even his accented English would be an affront. To them, a sign of lower intelligence. Apartheid ended years ago, but the prejudiced were enslaved by their egos and twisted logic. A much harder trap to flee.

97 words

 

****

In general South Africa is a caring, connected community that at times even overcomes its prejudices to shine brightly amongst humanity. This is merely an illustration of the more subtle prejudices and stereotypes that people may have against one another, seemingly harmless, but simmering under the surface.

 

Written for the 100 word challenge Friday Fictioneers hosted by the awesome Rochelle, who writes mainly from the persecutive of the Jewish experience of the holocaust (and so much more). I’d strongly recommend heading over to her blog to read some very interesting posts.

Click on the frog or click here to view more flash fiction.

 

wpimg

Responses

  1. rochellewisoff avatar

    Dear Fatima,

    As you may have guessed, racism makes my blood boil. I wish people could see that our differences are only skin deep. “If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh?”
    Well done, my dear.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Thank you Rochelle. This was inspired by an incident I witnessed a couple of days ago as well as your post. Glad you approve 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Moon avatar

    I heave a sigh of despair! Very well written.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Thank you so much for reading and for your wonderful comment. 😊

      Like

  3. wmqcolby avatar

    Wow! Very insightful, Fatima. The more things change, the more things stay the same, unfortunately.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Sad but true. And thank you for reading!

      Like

  4. jellico84 avatar

    It is often the same among Native Americans here in the USA, as well as African-Americans, Amer-asians…the list goes on. Prejudice has no boundaries, sadly so. Excellent write.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Very true. And it’s not just whites against non whites. But black people prejudiced against Asians for example. And vice versa. Usually upholding long held misconceptions of the other. Thank you for your wonderful comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. yarnspinnerr avatar

    Very subtle. Very relevant.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Thank you dear 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  6. subroto avatar

    Wonderfully descriptive story and with a great message.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Thank you for your great feedback.

      Like

  7. shivamt25 avatar

    It is sad that such problems still persist in the world. You presented it well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Sad indeed. Humanity and good will just have to prevail despite it. Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Rowena avatar

    I love how you used this prompt to highlight the horrors of racism. You recreated this scene so well and I could really feel their snub. Well done.
    xx Rowena

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Thank you Rowena! 😊

      Like

  9. Liz Young avatar

    We lived in the Canary Islands for years, where a black friend always drove a cheap car because if he drove an expensive one the police kept stopping him to s=check he hadn’t stolen it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Yep. That’s the same mentality I’m writing about. Seemingly harmless, perhaps even seen as necessary for public safety, but it’s still racial profiling.

      Like

  10. Mrs. Completely avatar

    I love the broader context in your story. Racism is a crime that seeps into every fabric. Well done. :o)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Thank you for reading and for your wonderful comments.

      Like

  11. Life Lessons of a Dog Lover avatar

    Very impactful story. You really drove home the cutting effect of racism that lingers still.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Glad it touched you. And thank you!

      Like

  12. Dale avatar

    Very well portrayed, Fatima. I often wonder what thoughts cross others’ minds when someone of colour shows signs of wealth… for too long it has been many people’s reality

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      I’ve been unlucky enough to have heard such thoughts firsthand. And sometimes it’s people of colour against other groups of people of colour.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale avatar

        It’s not limited to one race. Ever see the movie “Crash”? Perfect depiction of racism….

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

        Actually no I haven’t. But I love movies so will try to watch it sometime.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Dale avatar

        The one with Sandra Bullock, Matt Dillon, and so many others, not the one with James Spader which is a whole ‘nother subject!

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

        Ha ha ha! I’d be scratching my head asking what Dale meant exactly? Okay noted that.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Dale avatar

        Hee hee!!

        Liked by 1 person

  13. kittysverses avatar

    Well written story., Fatima.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      1. kittysverses avatar

        Welcome Fatima 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Keith's Ramblings avatar

    Maybe not as common as it once was, but it’s still simmering under the surface wherever you are in the world.

    My story is called ‘Someone’

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Sally Stackhouse avatar

    A strong and emotive piece. I wish we could all get along.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Or at least treat each other with respect. Thank you Sally 😊

      Like

  16. Michael B. Fishman avatar

    Thank you for this very relevant story. I wonder how many of those subtle prejudices and stereotypes are, sadly, not so very subtle after all.
    Here’s mine if you’re so inclined . . . https://michaelsfishbowl.com/2017/06/16/i-sit/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Thank you Michael. Looking forward to reading yours too!

      Like

  17. granonine avatar

    Prejudice lurks in the heart of mankind. We fear what we don’t understand, and react in cruelty. History of mankind.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      How apt! History will repeat itself I fear. Thank you for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. amiewrites74 avatar

    A powerful story. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Why thank you Amie!

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Sascha Darlington avatar

    Very well done, Fatima. Simple and powerful at the same time.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
  20. Michael Wynn avatar

    Well done, I’ve seen this kind of behaviour, so recognised it immediately from your writing

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      I’m pleased it came through in my writing. Thank you Michael.

      Like

  21. lingeringvisions by Dawn avatar

    You’ve reminded us that prejudice knows no borders, no skin tone, and no economic factor.
    Good story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Thank you Dawn. I’m glad you liked it.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Inside the Mind of Isadora avatar

    A powerful account of the horrors of prejudice. Isolation and fear for the ones who are experiencing it. Sad. that in this day and age, it still exists. Nicely done, Fatima.
    Isadora 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      The isolation it causes can be suffocating. Thank you Isadora!

      Like

  23. kalpana solsi avatar

    The blood of two different races bleeds red . does the pigment of the derma matter so much to separate humans? Racism is bad.

    http://ideasolsi65.blogspot.in/2017/06/the-siren.html

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Eric Alagan avatar

    For me, racism is not simply about black and white. It is a point on a spectrum. And the vast majority – but not all – fall somewhere along the line.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Eric that’s a good way to describe it. It makes us look inwards and question what we find there. Thank you for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to Liz Young Cancel reply