Race matters...

I have to say that this is the first and most extreme of race related disrespect that I've ever experienced. I'm trying to figure out the best way to deal with this situation. Its very serious and there are lots of factors that play a role in my decision making. Ultimately my respect must be demanded, but I also want to maintain a comfortable work environment for myself.

SO...long story less long lol...at work, it is very clear that I am BLACK, and "culture" if they even understand what that means. Point being, I have locs, dress very creatively, eclectic and do not hide my identity, making attention to me that much more enhanced I suppose. Anyway, the guy I work with immediately and I share an office and work very closely relative to design. We get along pretty well, and again, maintain a generally relaxed office enviornment. Sometimes he tends to joke around a bit too much and does not have breaks. Which leads to my issue...

2 day ago, I overheard him make a comment in the halls to some other co-workers that was hugely offensive. The comment was intended for me to hear, and furthermore he speaks rather loudly even it weren't. I didn't quite hear the entire comment, but I did hear my name, so as he re-entered the office, I asked him to reiterate his joke (all in fun I was thinking). It was in regard to the naming of the mock-up website design. The suggestion was to name it the master page to identify the one he was working on. He came in and stated the following, "No, we can't call it master cause I don't want LaNoya to think she has to call me master, lol!" I was absolutely taken aback, but at the time it was the end of the day and I hadn't given it much thought, but did reply, "Yeah right, that's the day I'd be quitting this job!"

So the next day I came in to work with quite the attitude, though I always remain professional. He joked around a bit and and sensed I was in a bad mood and asked a few time if I was ok. Eventually I replied and told him that he had pissed me off yesterday and that what he said was hugely offensive. He immediately did not make excuses for himself, explained that his mouth tends to get him in trouble in being such a goofball and smart mouth (which I am aware of, and perhaps have made him feel TOO comfortable in being such), that he is not a racist (though I did not accuse him of being one...hmm), apologized and expressed that he wants me to feel comfortable enough to put him in his place when need be and that he definitely needs to know when he goes too far. After that conversation I accepted his apology and intended to get past this, but that does not disguise how it all made me feel. I just don't know where I should go from here, if anywhere. I thought to email him thoroughly just to reiterate and give him a more detailed perspective, but then I'm also thinking to just leave it alone so that the issue does not linger. I feel as though he was sincere in his apology and that he will think before he speaks in the future, its just that in being so passionate about culture and having serious rage relative to African American history, I just wanna go hard on him...but again, this IS my job and I do need it and appreciate how blessed I am, at least for another year, so its not like I wanna wild out and quit or something lol. Ultimately it was just out of line and I would NEVER disrespect ANYONES race or history like that. The same way he has to refrain from sexual harassment, so should he when it comes to race matters! And so it is...