Racial Profiling

I just made my last trip to Walmart. Okay I am not a big Walmart fan in general. I mean, I use to be able to find what I needed for cheap there so even though I didn't like the politics I still went. But Walmart changed the stores about a year ago and now I can't ever find what I need (or want). So I basically stopped going. And I felt less guilty because I knew I should be supporting local business instead of big business.

But I went today. Actually I went because I needed to print off 2 photos for Ladybug's annual report. But there self serve photo machines were all down. Yes, ALL! So while I was there I decided that I should pick up a few hair care products for myself. I have more products then I know what to do with but there are all for Ladybug. I only have what I need for me and they are running low. And the products make caring for my hair quick and easy. Since dealing with Ladybug's hair is complicated and time consuming I really need my stuff to be simple. So I grabbed my gell and spray and waiting in the checkout lane.

I was waiting behind all the stay at home moms and retired folks who do their shopping at 11am on a Wednesday (yes I snuck out fo the office to do a few personal things) so I had plenty of time to people watch. And what caught my eye was the "greeter" at the front door. She was there when I walked in and she stopped a customer right before me. As I watched the front door I noticed that she moved to the exit door every once in a while. She would ask to see the receipt of a few customers, look in their bag, and then move back to the entrance door.

She didn't do this for every person. Just the black ones.

Now this town is not very racially diverse. Two months ago I moved from a town that was 40% African American so anything less feels not very racially diverse. There are lots of African Americans in this town, it just feels like less then I am use to.

As I stood waiting for my time to pay, I saw her stop 3 African American women as they were leaving the store. I saw her stop zero white people. And as I walked out the door she stopped the African American man in front of me and then gave me a quick smile and let me walk out without a word.

I am ashamed to say, I did just that. Walk out with saying anything. I should have done something. Because apathy is a big part of any problem. I should have done something. Because I know they won't "feel" the fact that I no longer shop there.

Mean Mama