Hey... Finally got a chance to get back.
I guess what I was trying to say in tired rambling was that I don't think that what I experienced with the loan and what you noticed with your job is indicative of American Society as a whole. I think there are some people who abuse the system and use their position of power to actively promote their own race and in essence, discriminate against others.
So I'd make the assumption that the person making decisions in your company is either 1) Black or 2) a Black sympathizer or 3) a Black racist (as in racist against whites and this can be a white person). On the same note, I could assume the person who made the decision in my situation was either 1) White or 2) A White sympathizer or 3)A White racist (and I should note could be a black person).
To answer your question about how it felt to be denied... it felt like crap and for a few days I was even bitter towards my friend because he's the one that suggested I go get the loan because it was "sooooooooooo easy." But I got over it quick... I didn't take it personal and I chalked it up to another one of those roadblocks life threw my way. As far as When it happened... I'm talking mid-90's so it was fairly recent.
In looking back I'm shocked that I considered the color of my skin a road block because even though I grew up in a rough neighborhood... my parents always told me it was more out there and more importantly that it was attainable. I went to a college that was 95% White and most of my friends were white. We'd go out drinking and they'd all be like "How does it feel to be black?" and I would tell them stories about my youth and they'd be like "holy shit." But it never ever occurred to me that my Childhood was that amazing... it was normal for me to see the things that were going on but they just couldn't believe.
What I'm trying to get at is, in looking back to that time, when I was being denied credit and my white friends were so amazed at what I thought was a "normal" childhood, I never ever chalked it up to racism and I never realized how divided our cultures were and still are. This discussion started with an observation by a white guy and then others started to speak up... they had noticed the same thing. Then others started to contradict that observation with observations of their own...
I've never experienced preferential treatment as a black man in anything that mattered; namely, School, Jobs, Credit. Nor do I expect to receive preferential treatment. I'm the type to give the benefit of the doubt when things don't go my way in those situations. I just work harder to achieve the desired results... I may have to work harder than some others but I accept that.
Like my dad says... builds character.
The real question for you NoSoup is where do you work at... I'm looking to buy a house pretty soon and I could use a good loan.
Please Note: This post probably did nothing but progress this thread but it was mean to expound a little more my first post. I'll reread and post any other thoughts that I may have forgotten.