Discrimination

I don’t mind being profiled because of how I look.  I’m a big scary guy, I get profiled all the time and have been all my life. I’m used to it and it still amazes me the reaction people have when they realize they profiled me wrong.

What I do have a problem with is being discriminated against based on what I’m wearing.  I was raised to look neat and presentable.  “You’re not a homeless vagrant,” “tuck in your shirt,” “fix your hair,” “don’t slouch,” all things I’ve heard all my life.

Because of this, no matter what I’m wearing, I can’t stand to look sloppy.  It’s nothing vain, it’s about having respect for yourself and always looking presentable.  That is the main reason why I open carry my pistol.

I don’t care if you see it or not, I have no problem covering it up with a jacket if need be.  I don’t care what you think about concealing it or any other arguments over which is better.  I DON’T CARE!  What I do care about, however, is how I feel in whatever I’m wearing.

Like I said earlier, I’m a big scary looking guy.  I can not help that, I’m a medical freak of nature with an ugly mug that scares people, whether I smile or not.  No this is not a put down, this is what I’ve faced my entire life.

I can not change my face nor my large frame so I have learned to live with these reactions, making fun in hopes of causing laughter to ease whatever fear is felt.  It doesn’t happen all the time but it happens more times than not.

Being a big guy, I have to wear my clothes slightly different than those half my size.  But like guys half my size, I like to be comfortable.  Tucking anything down my waistline other than a shirt causes me great discomfort, so I prefer to carry my pistol on the outside of my pants.

If I’m not in my uniform at work I get to decide what I’m going to wear, based on the mood I’m in.  I pick out my underwear, regular or playful, despite that no one else will see it, but it’s how I’m feeling that day.  I pick a pair of socks.  I pick out a shirt, T-shirt, polo, or button up.  I pick out what’s going to sit on my legs, shorts, slacks, or jeans.  I pick one of two belts, a dress up or my Superman belt.

Finally, I pick which holster I feel like wearing, based on which pistol I wish to carry.  Is it my 1911 or my Taurus?  If it’s the 1911, which grips do I feel like wearing?  The point is, it’s all about the personal freedom to choose what I wish to wear that day.

If you do not want me to discriminate against you based on what you wear, because it’s not who you are, then please don’t discriminate against me for what I choose to wear.  You do not have to like it, you do not even have agree with it, you do, however, do not get to discriminate against me because of it. 

- Max M. Power