Thursday January 30, 2014:
Location; Local Pharmacy
On my way home from work I stopped by the Local Pharmacy to see if my prescription was ready for pick-up. When I walked in the store I notice that their was about three teenager gathered at the magazine area. They were laughing and having a good time looking at something. while waiting in line I overheard one of the ladies in line say "we need to hurry up and get out of this store those type of people will rob you in the day time" I walked toward the two ladies and said "So if they were a different race they wouldn't rob you?" The ladies look at me and walked out of the store. I got back and line and waited for my prescription. When it was my time to talk to the cashier behind the booth. The cashier asked me what happen. I told her what the lady said about the three boys at the magazine area and what I said to her. The cashier said, that lady must be prejudice because she complained about every minority who work in this store and accused them of stealing from her.
I was really upset because I not only observed micro aggression but knowing if I didn't say something to this lady then I was accepting her micro assault toward those boys and myself being a minority.
I truly believe what I witness this week validates my perception of people who discriminates, prejudice and stereotype other people. They are ignorant and they don't know any better. They have been taught hatred and to harm others just because they are different.
Dr. Martin Luther King: " I look to a day when people will not be judge by the color of their skin but by the content of their character" ( King Jr., 1963).
reference:
www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm
It saddens me Darrell that you have been offended again!! Please accept my apologies on behalf of those who are lacking knowledge. You'd think that by now people would understand differently. There has been many individuals who have sacrificed their lives for the freedom of people. It appears that it's all going down in vain. My husband and I love Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and understand what he and others fought for. I hope that one day those who are ignorant will somehow understand as well. On a different note, Please be careful when dealing with individuals such as the lady in the store. Especially when you are alone. If these people are ignorant in this way, they may be ignorant in many other ways also. I understand the importance of speaking up and expressing your feelings but just be careful my friend. Thank you for sharing your post :)
ReplyDeleteHi Darrell,
ReplyDeleteGood for you, for going up and saying something! I agree with Cotati, too, though, to be careful, but speaking up is how attitudes and behavior will change.
Do you think the teenagers heard her? We have read a lot about how people internalize the microaggressions said about them. If they did, I hope they also heard you speaking up on their behalf.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Carol