THIS is madness.

Asked by Anonymous Anonymous

Just out of curiosity, and I'll probably sound like a total bitch, but I have to ask someone. ALL the time, at work mostly. Whenever I do my job, and ask for ID, or call a manager when needed. Someone will pull, "Is it because I'm BLACK?!" No, it's my job. Do you realize this is a problem and try to avoid this, or do you think people honestly have a claim. I don't think black people are racist, but I do think this excuse is overused...

First: Good question. You don’t sound like a bitch, and I’m happy to answer just about any question on this issue.

Now,

What excuse? The reason black people like myself seem like we often accuse people of racially discriminating against us is because we feel like we’re being racially discriminated against. (Not in order to make white people uncomfortable, as some for some unfathomable reason assume.) Do you know how many times in my life I’ve been followed around a store for absolutely no reason? Do you know how many times I’ve had one employee say to another,  “watch those girls. They’re going steal something.”? Do you know how often I’ve listened to people have open conversations about how they’re “not racist” but would “never date a black person”? Do you know how many times I’ve gone to look at a room for rent (I’m a uni student) and mysteriously, when I arrive, the landlord decides the place isn’t for rent anymore? Do you know how many times I’ve heard the words “be careful, or you’ll get robbed by a bunch of black people!”? Do you know how many times I’ve dropped of resumes with my white friends with white names and less experience (I’ve been working since the DAY I was legally allowed to at 14) and watched them get calls back while I got nothing? Do you know how many times I’ve been told “You have such a high vocabulary! It’s like you’re not even black!”? Do you know how many times my boss has told me to keep an eye on certain customers, all of whom were POC and NONE of whom were white?

What I’m trying to say here is that If I come to your register and you ask me for ID because you have to ask everyone, I may accuse you of being racist. I may be mistaken, but my accusations are not unfounded.

If you’re accused of being racist, you don’t even have to tell anyone about it. Just stop and think for a second. Be honest with yourself. Did this persons race factor in in ANY way in the way that you treated them?

If it did, don’t beat yourself up about it. We ALL do it. Even me. But it’s not acceptable. You need to check your behavior and do your absolute fucking best that to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

If it didn’t think about it again. Really think about it. If you’re positively sure, don’t be rude, don’t be snippy, just politely explain your position, and LISTEN. Because you’re not the one being oppressed here. And if I could trade all the racist bullshit that I have to deal with on the daily with an awkward conversation with an annoyed customer at work once every couple of weeks, I would do it in a fucking heartbeat.

Posted 5 months ago — 1 note