I’m a white guy from a fairly non-diverse city. I was at a grocery store today where a cashier opened up their line to serve me and, I thought, the person behind me. As they were serving me, though, they put up their lane closed sign right in front of the black man behind me. The buy was just trying to purchase some tuna, bread, and peanut butter.
The cashier basically decided to serve me, a middle class white man, but refused to serve the black man behind me. I was so shocked that I didn’t say anything. It is possible that I misunderstood the situation but it seemed so blatant.
What should I have done in this situation? Should I have spoken up? Would that have just been more embarrassing for the man who was being discriminated against?
Honestly, I’m still just in shock to see someone treated so poorly when they were simply trying to buy food for themselves. I recognize that means that I’m sheltered but I also feel like I should be able to use my unearned privilege to help others who are being discriminated against.
I’d tell him to add his items to mine and buy them for him. If the cashier refused I would make them explain why to me.
I like this. This is the mentality I plan to take with me in case of future situations. I feel terrible that I wasn’t present enough to act appropriately in the moment.
I’ve been there man. You never know when it’s coming and you can’t get mad at yourself for the past. This got you to think about it and you’ll step in when it’s right next time. You could make all the excuses and pretend you didn’t see it but you recognized an every day injustice and learned something.
You’re a good person.
Thank you, I appreciate it. It’s honestly weighing on me that I didn’t say something. I guess the best that I can do is to do better next time something similar happens.
That was my first thought too.