Hi! My Name Is Loco and I Am A Racist
“Loco
Baye McNeil ‘aka’ Loco hails from Brooklyn, New York, where he was born and raised, but now currently resides in Yokohama, Japan. Loco recounts various forms of racism he experienced starting as a child in elementary school where he studied Swahili and Black History during the...”
“Loco
Baye McNeil ‘aka’ Loco hails from Brooklyn, New York, where he was born and raised, but now currently resides in Yokohama, Japan. Loco recounts various forms of racism he experienced starting as a child in elementary school where he studied Swahili and Black History during the Black Power Movement. He was part of boycotts, marches and demonstrations against that which was unjust. As a teenager he watched his brother become part of The Nation of Gods and Earths, otherwise known as the Five Percenters. He eventually joined and was known as the God Unique. While he was part of this group he learned a valuable lesson on how racism from others could affect a friendship.
As a young man, he joined the United States Army because he knew it would be his opportunity to get a good education. There, with a group of men of diverse backgrounds, he also experienced bouts of racism. It took someone who he thought hated him in the Army to show him that his purpose was meant somewhere else.
Loco returned home to Brooklyn where he attended the University. During that time he became involved in an interracial relationship. His own racism came into play. When questions were brought up, he realized that, yes, even he was a racist.
When he decided to take a job in Japan as an English teacher, he not only received a culture shock, but he experienced a different side of racism from the Japanese. Riding the trains, everyone refused to sit next to him. In restaurants and cafes, if there was an empty table nearby, they would search all over for something other than the table near him. In the beginning Loco was angry, but near the end he tried to rationalize what it was about the Japanese that felt like someone of color was a threat. He even began to make a game of it.
When it comes down to it, with his stories and experiences, eventually he realizes that not only are they racist to a fault but so is he.
“Hi! My Name Is Loco And I Am A Racist” by Baye McNeil is one man’s honesty and blunt feelings on how racism has affected not only him as a youth in the 70s up until today but also how it makes someone feel either being on the receiving end of racism or the one dishing it out. Mr. McNeil is eloquent in his words, yet harsh and brash at the same time. It is only because he is being as real on this topic as he possibly can. No holds barred! Now, if you are a person of color thinking of visiting Japan, this would be an excellent novel to read. If you are just looking for a good read that tells of one man’s experiences, you are going to get it raw and as real as it gets in this novel.
“Hi! My Name Is Loco And I Am A Racist” is thought provoking and it will really make you wonder if that person looking back in the mirror could be a racist too.
Reviewed by: LeonaR”
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