Observed Privilege
Privilege is a real thing and if you didn’t believe it’s validity then I have a story for you. Yesterday as I observed the life of Dr. Martin L. King Jr. I met up with a friend to exchange pleasantries and personal visions of individual growth. We chatted about how far we have grew in our friendship, our friendships with others, and how difficult is was to be Black in America. Being double targeted was not the ideal dream of a Black Man, but it was our mere existence as we moved about the City of Brotherly Love proud, freed, and targeted.
As we went about our business entering business after business we noticed that our Blackness was beginning to cause alarm in many places that frequently didn’t encounter us there. We were trailed in one store and asked several times if we needed assistance. Why would two educated men need assistance in a one level discount store? I still wasn’t realizing the ignorance, but laughed as my blunt friend ask the salesman to move (in his words: “sir move”) as he continued to shop the store. Still watching us and keeping us in his eye site I begin to notice that Black and Man was on the agenda for potential criminal profiling. Me being me; I pulled out my phone and march out with Dr. King’s voice shouting out “Free At Last.” I gave that store a little more of what they didn’t ask for. So we moved about to another store and as we entered I noticed that my feet began to sweep the floor. My #Blackboyjoy started to uplift and soon I was twirling around the blazers and v-neck sweaters. If you don’t want me to dance don’t have a soundtrack of hip-hop, jazz, or just music filling your store. In the corner of my eye the security guard came about and asked me if I was alright. I gazed at her and continued dancing. Something this day was going to awakening my awareness that being Black like me was going to taunt me. Our journey brought us to a popular store that was very popular among the professional man and woman. We laughed at garments that were obsessively bright and gagged at the items that were just right.
We were ready to check out and noticed that the line was growing and the faces of the patrons was a look of disgust. Spending 20 minutes in line was beginning to become a bother. Now being fourth in line I was ready to throw the clothes down and bounce up out of there. A lady approach the cashier throwing her garments and said I don’t care what this receipt says I still want to return it. I’m staring at this situation looking puzzled as the Caucasian lady confessed that she doesn’t care how long the line is she wasn’t moving. Not moving my friend and I stated; seeming to be the only ones concerned. This middle-aged lady stood their as the line grew and grew, yet still not moving.
She slammed the phone, bumped a customer, yelled, cussed, and finally stormed out. Not one security guard intervened and her demands were fulfilled. I saw that privilege was played and won during this game. I wondered how things would have went if I was the disgruntle customer? I wouldn’t be here free to write a post or tell of the story there after. This bothered me for many reasons. Where was the anger from the White American patrons in line? Oh wait there was one who stood up against her born right to privilege, but the other 15 stood and ignored what wasn’t right. I wonder if she would have reacted different if the White American male handled her issue? What gave her the power to feel as though she was entitled to disobey the guidelines of the return policy and ultimately get her way? It finally came to me…..PRIVILEGE. One thing that Black men and women will never be fortunate enough to test drive. It was amazing and at the same time disgusting to see privilege in action. I mean we hear about it and see it depicted on TV shows, but this was something very different. I was seeing it live and in the white color.
Why this post? If not woke I am WOKE now. Already believing that I was already woke, this has lit a fire under my butt to speak leader against the difference between the standards of living among the color lines. One rule made for all shouldn’t bend because one has a power that moves them to gain all they want by just being born White. It’s simply not right! This is not race banter and nor do I confess to be a racist, but I am someone who enjoys an equal playing field. We shouldn’t have to exist in our world totally opposite of those who we work with, travel with, eat with, etc. This just shouldn’t be. Privilege is real and once observed it gets severe. I am honored to be Black and Men for that is the ultimate PRIVILEGE, but it shouldn’t cause one alarm because my color and my stance is not their norm. Be aware of what happens around you; i’m sure you will notice more and more issues of racial inequality.
Just a thought on this Tuesday. I will be back to uplifting your life in my next post. I just had to call out what was not right.
mOOd: Woooooow
SayWhatNOW?!?! 