Stereotyping and Racial Profiling: A day in the life of Trey

Apr 6, 2009


So, at least 3 days out of the week, I hit up the little pizza joint in the bottom of Lenoir. It's pretty inexpensive and there is hardly ever a line...you just put'cha slice in a box and head to the register.

...well, every time I get to the register, the same woman is there telling me to "open my box" as if to check and make sure that I'm not trying to steal an extra piece. I ain't trippin though, I just assume that it's protocol.

...until today. I get to the register and there is an older white woman in front of me, pizza box in hand. Of course, I'm geeked up, because I'm finally going to see the Pizza-Nazi tell someone else besides ME to "open your box".

...low and behold. She does not even check the woman's box, but when I get to the register, she gives me a look like "Negro, you know the deal" and then she parts her crusty lips only to tell me that I need to let her see inside my box.

The ignorant side of me wanted to say, "H*LL NO! What I look like stealin' a $1 piece of pizza?!" But I digressed...and I cooperated. And here I am blogging about it. But, what I want to know is...how has racial profiling or stereotyping affected you? Obviously, it happens to some of US more than others, but I'm pretty sure everyone deals with it in some way, shape, or form.

4 comments:

Amanda said...

dude I get racially profiled on the daily.

Deandra said...

Seems to me that white cashiers are mad friendly and talkative to the white person checkin' out in front of me, but when its my turn in line I barely get a "Hey, How you doin'".....racially profilin???i guess so...

Dub said...

the thing is...the woman checkin me out everyday is black.

but for some reason, she assumes that because of my appearance...im more susceptible to stealing or something. I just don't get it.

Anonymous said...

well next time someone is in front of you, simply say, "aren't you going to ask them to open the box?" Then after she looks crazy say, "It is protocol, right, you always ask me to do so?"

 
Don't watch me, w-w-watch my feet....