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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.

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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 That is weird. You should have said something. But in a positive way.

ianR0ckwell · M

@4meAndyou lol... maybe she was working on her stand up

4meAndyou · F

@ianR0ckwell Her WHITE standup!!! 😂

PoetryNEmotion · F

Now. Now. You should have asked her what was her problem with white food products? Started a calm discussion. Maybe she had experienced problems with racism earlier.

4meAndyou · F

@PoetryNEmotion She was obviously extremely hostile. I would not have felt safe even sitting outside in my car.

PoetryNEmotion · F

@4meAndyou Racism is ugly. And you must be safe. You could have asked to speak to her manager.

4meAndyou · F

@PoetryNEmotion Do you think that would have improved her obvious hatred? I don't. I decided it was best to drive away and not deal with it. I didn't report her to her manager because that would have made HER worse. If McDonalds managers have no idea what is happening at their drive thru windows, though, its a little bit scary.

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.

4meAndyou · F

@PoetryNEmotion Well, it happened eight years ago, and it's a little bit like 20/20 hindsight, isn't it? But perhaps if I were not afraid I would behave differently now and stand up and speak.

PoetryNEmotion · F

@4meAndyou It is a choice. Have a good day.