Oscar Zeta Acosta - Samoan Quotes

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He reached his hand toward me. You don't mind my asking, do you? Of course not, I say calmly as I reverse the lit end of the cigarette so that the flame is cupped in the palm. I reach for his handshake. He screams like a woman in distress with her skirt held high. I puff my meanness as he licks at the burn and whimpers, You sonofagun. You've burned the dickens out of my hand. I know. But why? I didn't do anything. I don't even know you. I guess it's my Samoan blood. Sal rushes to my defense. He points his finger at the fag. Out! But I didn't do anything. Out, out! he shouts, his hands stiffly on the bar. The old fag picks himself up and begins to drag himself out.

Oscar Zeta Acosta

I simply nod, for I have already noticed the short distance between his right and left eyes. It is my secret way of detecting fags. I know he will speak. And the first thing the idiot says is, Are you by any chance Samoan? All my life strangers have been interested in my ancestry. There is something about my bearing that cries out for history. I've been mistaken for American Indian, Spanish, Filipino, Hawaiian, Samoan and Arabian. No one has ever asked me if I'm a spic or a greaser. Am I Samoan? Aren't we all? I groan.

Oscar Zeta Acosta