didn't see that one coming...

**Retro Red** · 6th October 06, 02:32 PM

Today, I wore my Scottish National kilt with my XMarks t-shirt to work. As I'm heading toward the stairs to go to lunch, a guy a little ahead of me stops on the stairs & is turned around looking at me with a big grin on his face. When I catch up to him, he asks what's my clan. I tell him, Robertson, & he volunteers that he's clan MacTavish. Nothing particularly unusual about this exchange, right? Except that this dude is black! Wow, I didn't see that one coming!

I asked if he had a kilt in his clan tartan & he said, yeah, & we both agreed on how comfortable kilts are before heading seperate ways. I didn't think until afterwards that I should've asked if he also had a Black Watch kilt. :rolleyes:

The Great Melting Pot, indeed...
.

**Captain** · 6th October 06, 03:27 PM

I posted about a recent trip to Sam's on my blog (here's the full posting) In it I mention an older black (or african-american for the PC WHITE people here) man who appeared to be in construction of some type stopping me and asking where I got the utilikilt and how he could go about ordering one... Surprising to say the least. I expected when he'd stop me I'd get some kind of comment about "a man in a skirt"...

**Blu (Ontario)** · 6th October 06, 03:35 PM

Well wonders never cease !

Do you suppose this fellow will follow your fashion lead anytime soon?

**Riverkilt** · 6th October 06, 03:36 PM

Ahh Arizona!

Last spring I was in Cameron, Arizona on the Navajo Reservation at the trading post. A Navajo man came over to me and gushed that he was 1/4 Scot etc. etc.

Kinda weird to have a rez town named after one of my clans too...

Ron

**Scott Gilmore** · 6th October 06, 04:07 PM

Recognizing that it takes time for the wounds of bigotry to heal, I find it heartening that more Americans of African-Scottish descent have begun to recognize their Scottsh heritage. It's a positive sign, I think.

Recently, General Powell expressed pride in his Scottish lineage by petitioning for a posthumous grant of arms for his father, Luther. I read somewhere about two years ago that he had also commissioned a kilt. His coat of arms:

Here's the story: Colin Powell proud to be a Scot

Regards,
Scott Gilmore

**Retro Red** · 6th October 06, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by Scott Gilmore

I find it heartening that more Americans of African-Scottish descent have begun to recognize their Scottsh heritage. It's a positive sign, I think.

Well, it certainly was a first for me to have someone acknowledge their African-Scottish heritage - hopefully, it won't be the last. I also hope I can talk some more to this guy, again.

Cool article about General Powell, Scott. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
.

**Panache** · 6th October 06, 04:41 PM

Scott,

I enjoyed the article. Thanks for posting.

R.R.

I love it when people are able to look to what they share rather than what divides them. Thanks for sharing the story. We need more common bonds in this world.

Cheers

**O'Neille** · 6th October 06, 05:01 PM

Thanks for the lesson. Very cool. O'Neille

**RCallan** · 6th October 06, 05:17 PM

I think I posted this before...
But when I was in Hawaii working a few years ago...I went to a Half-Way to St. Patrick's Day festival in Honolulu....
I had been to the Pubs on the island, but never really thought much of the Celtic background of the people and native Hawaiians.

So I found myself with a 600 people dancing to a Scottish Band (Old Blind Dog) and chating with the locals about how there Grandfathers were all Scotish, Irish, English and Welsh Sailors who help settle the islands and help with the kingdom.

Nothing better than Native Hawaiians wearing their Kilts Proudly.

ps. Great Pipe Band too!