McDonald’s, McDonald’s, you have to do better. I mean, you guys should just do better in general because your food isn’t nutritious, or real for that matter, but that’s not the topic at hand here. I chose to eat your fake food and that’s on me, but I would prefer not deal with your rude, racist employees and their commentary.

Funny thing is, most people will assume that this is about a White person– it’s not. It’s actually about a young Black woman who, I guess, decided it was okay to share her grievances with me because she assumed I’d relate? Negative, lady.

Now, for a quick recap of the night:

McDonald’s Employee: Hi, what would you like to order?

Me: Can I get a 20 piece Chicken McNugget Meal? (don’t judge me, I hadn’t eaten all day!)

McDonald’s Employee: The 20 piece doesn’t come with a meal, only two medium drinks and two medium fries.

Me: ummm okay, well I’ll just add a medium drink and a medium fry to that please.

McDonald’s Employee: (with attitude): You’ll have to tell them to add it in at the next window because I already put your order in and saved it before you said that.

Me: (thinks to myself) are you freaking kidding me? You’re ridiculous and you can keep your ‘tude, booboo because you messed up the order, not me! (actually says aloud): Um, okay…thank you.

So, I drive up to the first window and of course I’m annoyed; but, I immediately realize that the woman who’s taking my money isn’t the same lady who took my order. I kindly ask her to add my items, pay and drive to the next window. Here, I meet homegirl. The conversation went like this:

Me: Hello.

McDonald’s Employee: ughhhh I can’t stand White people.

Me: …

McDonald’s Employee: I know that had to be a White man, couldnda been nobody but a White man.

Me: …

McDonald’s Employee: (hands me my food) Enjoy your night.

Me: Thank you.

(drives away)

Um, I’m sorry what? What just happened ma’am?

From what I gathered, this lovely McDonald’s employee greeted the customer behind me with the same outstanding customer service that she gave me. But, unlike myself, that customer probably gave her a hard time for possibly getting his order wrong. But, what do I know; this is total speculation. That guy could have been a super rude a-hole and she had every right to be upset. What she didn’t have the right to do was 1. Assume that he was White 2. Blame his attitude or response on his “Whiteness” and 3. Group all White people together due to his behavior. FYI lady, that makes you a racist.

I’m going to assume that she’s either not very good at her job or she was having a really off night because my service was terrible. When I asked for a 20 McNugget meal, your job was to tell me that you didn’t have one before not after I ordered. You’re also supposed to check with me to make sure that my order is correct before submitting it. Duh. Also, telling me that you hate White people really isn’t something that I need to know or care to hear. And just because I’m Black doesn’t mean you get to assume that I agree– I don’t.

I never know what people have experienced in their lives, and I try not to completely judge people on their ignorance. But, regardless of anything else racism is never okay. I always say: if someone of a different race said the same thing to you about your own race, would that be okay? No. You’d be quick to call them a racist and accuse them of reinforcing negative stereotypes. So, don’t so the same thing. Don’t be that guy. –or woman in this case.

So, what do you think? Was I over reacting, or do you agree that she was absolutely ridiculous and out of line?

“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:1-5

Whether you’re religious or not, or a follower of Christ, I still believe that these are great words to live by. Love one another, man.

Yes, first world problems are a real thing, but that does not mean that my problems/issues/hurt/pain are not valid. Other people around the world are suffering and most times it’s at a magnitude that most could not possibly comprehend. Even our fellow Americans deal with daily hardship and most people are not aware. I know that children in South America (see I said a something other than Africa, unlike most people) are starving, and please believe that I care and hope to contribute in any way that I can. But, if I’m having a bad day, let me have my freaking bad day! Dang! It’s what’s relative to the person’s life at the moment and not their fault. You’re upset that people in a developed, technologic world have developed world problems? That’s stupid.

You cannot blame others for issues/situations that do not directly relate to them. e.g. someone who decided to make Youtube videos for a living has NOTHING to do with photojournalists being beheaded in other countries. Those are global, societal, and governmental issues.

Yes, being a nurse practitioner, doctor, and lawyer are all amazing and require hard work, diligence, and time. & yes, it is absolutely necessary that these people exist. But, WTH does that have to do with anything else?

Doctors chose to be doctors. Lawyers chose to go to law school, pass the bar and practice law. Cops chose to join law enforcement. Okay? Your point? Chefs cook, singers sing, architects plan and design buildings, athletes play sports, teachers educate our children, garbage men pick up trash, and politicians run the world. These are what we call jobs, people– we all have them.

When someone makes a certain amount of money for what they do, you shouldn’t attack them. If you want to see change in the world, impact society; change the minds of your fellow human beings. But criticizing Lebron James–who I’m not the biggest fan of– for the millions that he makes is not only hate directed in the wrong direction, but it’s something that will change absolutely nothing.

Wrigley, Fenley and Yankee stadiums don’t sell themselves out. As my college professor once said, you can never be upset with a MLB player because he is only making the millions that you give him. Also, his millions are well deserved; he works extremely hard to maintain his strength, endurance, and longevity. Athletic careers are lucrative, but they don’t last forever. Once it’s over, it’s over.

Doctors are there to heal us. Nurses take care of us. Entertainers ENTERTAIN US! Like, what else do you think this is? I’m sure that after that long 12 hour shift, Ms. Susan, the nurse, wouldn’t mind relaxing on her couch with a bottle of wine and her subscription of Netflix.

The Housewives of all the cities are ridiculous and the show is insanity. But, people enjoy it and that’s an issue you have to take up with them. Sure, you may not feel like what Kim Kardashian does is relevant to society, but clearly she’s relevant to someone. They’re not Keeping Up With the Kardashians for nothin’.

We are all individual beings with individual talents. Not everyone is here to travel abroad and document the tragedies taking place in underdeveloped countries. If that’s what you do, awesome! DO YOU! I appreciate you just the same. But do NOT try to discredit what I do because it’s different from what you do. I mean, I quite enjoy music. So, thank you to all of the musicians, singers, songwriters, producers, etc. out there. My life wouldn’t be the same without you.

Moral of the story: don’t be an idiot. Don’t belittle others because you don’t like what they do. Don’t attack people you don’t know, especially via the dang-on internet, and infer that their lives are meaningless and useless. Don’t assume that because someone isn’t doing heart surgery, what they’re doing isn’t life-changing–people influence society in various ways. And lastly, don’t do the exact opposite of what you’re trying to enforce.

Calm down, I’m not angry at some man! I’m actually quite happy with one– his name is Ed Sheeran! It’s been a minute since I’ve done a musical post and I have had a few songs on replay for the past week now– one of them being “Don’t” by the one and only Mr. Sheeran.

Ed Sheeran seems absolutely adorable with his red hair, English accent, and completely unthreatening/artistic tattoos. His first album, Plus (+), was completely acoustic and the songs were soft and sweet. When I first heard “The A Team” and “Small Bump,” they were actually being covered by a Youtube artist, Zeek Power— you guys should check out his channel, he’s great! And when I watched the video for “Lego House,” I was thoroughly confused. At the time, I didn’t know Rupert Grint’s real name and assumed that the renowned Harry Potter star was not only an actor, but also a singer whose real name must have been Ed Sheeran. No worries though, I got things cleared up in the end. I looked into Sheeran and was impressed; his music was on rotation on my local radio stations and I officially became a fan.

But this year, he took me by surprise. One day I was listening to the radio in my car and “Sing” started playing. I thought to myself: “Wait a minute…is this Ed Sheeran? Nahhh, it can’t be. Whaaat?! I like it!” Some of his new songs have more of a pop-like sound, are super catchy and a bit edgier. It also seems that he went a bit personal with these, as a few songs are clearly about his past relationships– “Nina,” inspired by Nina Nesbitt, and “Don’t,” which is apparently about Ellie Goulding. But let’s not concentrate on the gossip, stay focused on the music!

I checked out the album, with plans to purchase it, but I wasn’t immediately impressed with the iTunes snippets. I need to give the songs a full review on Youtube before I commit –I’m not the biggest fan of buying single songs for $1.29; if the entire album is decent I’d rather buy the whole thing. Also, I like owning CDs —oooh so retro of me, I know— that way I can play them in my car and have the mp3s. (Yes, I know I can just sync my iPhone to my car but physical albums are better, okay!) Although those three songs are my favorites at the moment, especially “Don’t” and “Nina,” I am also a bit over the replays on the radio stations.

Overall, I definitely suggest that you check out the album, even if it’s only to buy a few of the songs. Both Ed Sheeran and his music are equally awesome. & although some of the official music videos have been sort of strange, give them quick look; they’re worth at least one watch. Also, please be sure to check out the video below that he did with Ruby Sessions TV; it’s an amazing mashup of Sheeran’s songs, “Don’t” and “Nina,” Chris Brown’s “Loyal,” Blackstreet’s “No Diggity” and Dr. Dre’s “The Next Episode ft. Snoop Dogg.” I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

You can follow the lovely redhead on Twitter, Soundcloud and Tumblr, subscribe to his Youtube channel, and like his Facebook page! You can also buy the deluxe CD album here, digital album here, or find both on iTunes. If you listen to some of the songs, let me know in the comments what you thought. Did you like my picks, or do you have favorites of your own? If you’re a veteran Sheeran fan, let me know which album you prefer.