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Kurt Watt '11 figured he'd show his commitment to RISD student Sally Wong by inviting her to be his plus-one at the annual Watt Family Reunion. Yet by the time they hopped back into Wong's car for the long drive back from Virginia, the six-month-old relationship, instead of shifting into a higher gear, had taken an abrupt left turn into the town of Quitsville. Quitsville, USA.
"That ride back was the longest car ride of my life," Watt said. "Actually, never mind, the ride there was longer 'cause we hit that traffic in Connecticut."
The drive from Providence went nicely, with the couple getting McFlurrys at a roadside McDonald's, because McFlurrys were so humorously something they'd never eat.
But when they got to the reunion, the questionable comments started as soon as the hugs did. "Well, my boy!" Watt's uncle Jim exclaimed as he went in for a bear hug. "And you brought an Oriental!"
Watt acknowledged what was said, though he took care to explain Jim's true meaning. "Jim's a smart guy," Watt said. "What he was really saying was, 'Wouldn't it be racist if someone said that?'"
Commented Wong, "Yes, it would be."
Buying Watt's explanation of his uncle's comment, Wong made sure to involve herself in the Watt festivities, even joining in the making of the traditional Watt family fried chicken sandwiches. But when Kurt's grandfather Pete Watt bit into a chicken bone, he surveyed the long picnic table to find Wong.
"You!" Pete shouted, rising to point at her. "Didn't you kill enough Americans in Indonesia!"
"First of all," Wong said later, "oh my god. Second of all, I'm Korean. Third of all, I'm fairly certain he meant Vietnam."
Yet Watt emphasized the importance of taking the moment with a sense of humor. "He's my grandfather!" Watt said. "A little rough around the edges, but he's no racist."
"I don't know," Wong replied. "I'm one hundred percent certain that he is."
"But how could he be, when racism is crazy?" Watt asked. "You're not making any sense. Why would anyone ever be racist?"
The final indignity came later that night, when a slightly drunk older brother of Kurt's, Jake Watt, rose to point at his brother and Wong and declare, "They are the evidence that interracial couples should not be legal. Also, Chileans are rude."
"Cause it's like, that's what a racist would say, get it?" Kurt Watt said desperately to his girlfriend and the reporter. "Gosh, maybe you guys just aren't smart enough for my family's sophisticated post-racial humor stylings."
When asked if she was offended by her boyfriend's brother's comment, Wong equivocated. "Yeah, I don't know," she said. "Come to think of it, good old Jakey probably had a point with that one."
