3. TIL: During WW2 black U.S soldiers stationed in England were drinking in a pub w...

TIL: During WW2 black U.S soldiers stationed in England were drinking in a pub with local people when U.S Military police arrived to stop them getting served and arrest them for not segregating. The white local people in the pub defended the black men, which eventually led to a riot and gunshots.

Funny/embarrassing story I've been meaning to tell someone, but I've never been able to find an opening to until now:

I went to the mayor's office to ask about getting some stuff paved, and the receptionist told me about a public works person to talk to.

I asked, implying if he was the kind of person that can get the gears unstuck and moving again, "Is he a greaser?"

"No," she replies, "he's not Italian."

A moment passes before it registers what I said, "Oh, fu-- No, I meant, can he help with the red tape, get stuff moving, grease the wheels, not...the...I can't believe I said that..."

Last time I've heard an Italian get shit on, it was in that last Indiana Jones movie, and my Dad way back in the late 80's calling his Italian friend a 'wop'.

Not very primed on that particular bit of racism.

/r/todayilearned Thread Parent Link - telegraph.co.uk
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