As a mixed race, forward thinking and very open person I'm actually somewhat offended by what Roy is saying. I'm German and Philipino, I get assaulted by racism and sterotypes on all ends. Being white means I get hit with the butt of half of all racial jokes, since the majority is still safe to poke fun at, and since I'm Philipino I get to take all the pacific Islander and Asian jokes as well. Mix that with growing up fatherless and poor and you have a real nice combo. To think that we know nothing of "Rhasta" or any other culture than "Whitebread" american is somewhat offensive, and I take it in the same light as any other racial sterotype. And no, when I think of Brooklyn I dont think of guys wearing pink T shirts and riding flashy fixies. I think of "Black of Both Side" If you happen to know the album when I think of Brooklyn, I also think about heart and character of an old city. I live in Echo Park, Los Angeles; a center of hipster culture and hey, guess what? I don't bash Hipsters, nor blacks, nor anyone else because I'm surrounded by all of it and frankly I've never met anyone from any of those groups that have given me any reason to. Incidentally I also live in the same house as my father grew up in and I've been in the neighborhood for various family gatherings and visits throughout my life and what was the neighborhood before it was this hipster haven? It was violent, dangerous and gang infested. I don't like gentrification, but "White people" with money are far from the enemy. And i've not met any hipsters that are the enemy either.


The enemy isn't any one person, its really an idea. But another rant for another time. Saying "White people with money" is actually the most racist thing said in this thread so far and I am offended by that, because I am a white person and its used directly to describe something it seems you have a great distaste for. Its racist regardless whose mouth it comes from.

With all that ranting done, the point I want to make is that, no one here, at least out right has meant, with intention to cause anyone offense, harm, degradation or any other malicious feelings or status. We are here because we share something in common, which is an enjoyment of Bikes, further more a unique crossection of the sport that involves direct Drive Trains with no method of switching gearing. So what I think all of us should do, myself included should apologize for any offense another may have taken and move forward positively.

I am sure if you look at Scrods posts and contributions to the forum you will see he is a rather nice and helpful person. So rather then continuing to fuel a battle, apologize, ask for a lock, move on.

I�m sorry if you did take offense to anything I�ve said, I myself am an open and loving person with friends and family from many cultures and backgrounds, and I mean no offense to any of them.

Regards,
Avner

Edit:

Obligotory post and derogatory comment regarding the hipster Fry