I Experienced Racism

I went to the Mexican barber shop by my house a few months ago. I used to like going to the Mexican Barber shops because they take their time and give you a good hair cut for a fair price. I like the way they line everything up. The atmosphere is usually friendly and I a appreciate the culture. At 10 am I entered. I asked if I could get a hair cut. There was only one guy in the shop working. He directed me to the chair then said wait a minute. He stepped outside. I waited and waited. After over 5 minutes, I stepped out and their he was smoking a cigarette. He just looked through me. This is not the first time I have been denied service at a Mexican barber shop. It has happened at two other places on my street. My neighborhood is not Mexican. It is changing but it is still mostly Italian, Polish,and Irish. I got the message. I left. I love my long grey hair. Thank you for helping me that day.

Fernie · F

I lived in Georgia in the 80's. Being from Boston I recognized the deep racism that was everywhere down south. It was the first time in my white life I had experienced that kind of hatred being aimed at me. The honky, cracker,and names I can't repeat here. Standing in the MARTA station waiting for a bus...was scary...sometimes the only white face in the crowd...and a northerner as well...I was tortured the whole time I was there. It was an eye opener...I got to feel what people of color have felt from white people since we kidnapped them from their homeland. I got it. I wish everyone could FEEL it the way I did...things might be different then

4meAndyou · F

I once drove up to the McDonalds drive through window off MLK BLVD in Lansing Michigan, and ordered a container of chocolate milk and a black coffee and a hamburger, and the black girl at the window gave them to me, saying, "And here is your WHITE milk with chocolate in it, and here is your hamburger on a WHITE bun."

I didn't report her, but I have told the story several times online.

PoetryNEmotion · F

@4meAndyou Change doesn't start with walking away. Perhaps her manager would have listened. People in retail need to be courteous and respectful. They are hired to take care of people and to serve them. She was out of line. And she will continue to be that way. She is a sad, angry person. McDonalds where I live would always listen to their customers. This is true even in large cities.