Damn, I Was Stunned & Had To Report A Racist Comment To The Head Of A Local Company

[Dinger]

I went to a local gas station,put in my gas, and went in to pay for it. As I was going in, there was an African American woman leaving. Anyway, I went up to pay for my gas, and this person who was at the cashier made what I thought was a racist comment. I wasn't sure I heard her correctly, so I asked her to repeat it (I almost wish I hadn't). She said "I never saw a n* with blond hair before. I was too stunned to speak. I just paid and left. As I was going out to my vehicle, I saw the woman waiting in her car. There was an African American man who came out to the car as I was leaving, so I assume she was waiting for him. Just as I was going down the road, I saw that the man went back inside (No, the woman was not inside when racist pig person made the comment). I don't know if he heard it or not. Anyway, this is area is a rural, mostly white area, but I have never witnessed anything like this. It bothered me so much. When I got home, I called the head of the company, who owns several gas stations in this area and beyond. He's an older guy with money, but he's a good Dem. I don't know him personally, but this is a small town area, and I just know. He was in agreement that this was disgusting and he said he will deal with it. I gave him my name, and he thanked me several times for making him aware of the situation. I am sick that this still happens, rural white area or not. I am still shocked. I must still be pretty naive, even at my age. I do feel better now that I called. I am sure this won't happen again, not at that business, and not with that person anyway.

[Quantess]

1. I wonder if that woman is smart enough to figure out it was you who reported her to her boss.

[Dinger]

12. I Doubt It, But I Don't Care If she Is (nt)

[Tangerine LaBamba]

2. Applause for you!

Good! You did the exact right thing.

That ugliness is still with us, and I don't think it's changed much in the last half-century. It's just gone a bit underground.

What's the ugliest about it is that the woman thought it was acceptable to say what she did - to you - and then to repeat it. See, she was just assuming that you think the same as she does. That's the insidious, hateful, smarmy underside of that bigotry - they assume you're one of them.

I cannot tell you how happy your story made me. If you hear or see anything else, please post it here.

But, for now, take a bow.........................

[Spazito]

3. Well done!

It is actions like yours, imo, that will do more to make it clear racism should not be tolerated and swept under the rug.

Recommended.

[monmouth]

4. You are a damned fine citizen. Kudos....n/t

[DebbieCDC]

5. Good for you for standing up

More people need to take action when these types of racist/sexist/homophobic incidences occur in their presence.

[boobooday]

6. Right on

zero tolerance for racist bullshit.

:toast:

[Catherine Vincent]

7. Good for you!

I'll bet the black woman with blonde hair looked better than the cashier which is probably why she said it. The bitch was jealous. :)

[Dinger]

13. It's Possible

The woman with blonde hair was young and attractive. It was an ugly person, inside and out that said this bullshit.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. Kudos to you

I'm tired of people thinking it is okay to use racist or bigoted language.

[Hello_Kitty]

9. Jesus, what is WRONG with people??!?

For her to just say it so nonchalantly, and then to REPEAT it to you when you asked her to reveals an astonishing level of chutzpah. I'm white and on more than one occasion people have made racist remarks around me just ASSuming that I will agree with them.

Glad you reported it. There should be zero tolerance for that kind of shit in any workplace.

[Dinger]

14. I'm White Too, And I was Wearing A Johhny Cash At San Quentin Shirt When she Said it

Johnny would have STRONGLY disapproved. I am still ashamed that I didn't set her straight right then and there. I was stunned, still am.

[Fire1]

10. Thank you, Dinger. n/t

[Ikonoklast]

11. Good teaching moment coming up soon for that employee.

Why do racists assume, just because your skin color matches theirs, that you share their bigoted worldview?

I've never heard an employee anywhere I've done business make a bigoted comment to me, but from co-workers, yeah.

[yowzayowzayowza]

15. Walked into a similar situation a coupla months ago...

at the local pharmacy. Chasen down a drink for the Rx wait I happened onto a conversation between two staff members and a customer (family member of staff?). Apparently there'd been quit ruckus earlier involving a frequent customer who happened to be schizophrenic. Being a regular the cashier referred to her by name, surprising her and setting off a paranoid response that ultimately required police and medical intervention. After lingering at the munchy counter a moment to eavesdrop, it was obvious none of them had ever encountered such a display and were genuinely puzzled, but were being really juvenile about it. Saddened, I began to move on when one of them, the photo clerk, said she had dropped off some pictures to be developed before the incident. They all laughed when the clerk gleefully confessed to having thrown the film in the trash. I stopped dead in my tracks, turned 180 degrees, "My mother is schizophrenic." After a moments silence, each in turn erased the smile from their face and commenced contemplation of their shoes. I was waaaaay too pist to castigate 'em so made way to the Rx waiting area with my drink. Along the way I informed Mrs Yowza who proceeded to collect the staff members names and complain to the manager.

[Liberal_in_LA]

16. +1

[lunatica]

17. I thought those days were over

There's a certain type of bigot who just assumes that because you're white you automatically agree with their bigotry. Strangers who whisper behind their hand about 'those people' or they use the n word like you'll jump right in to spew hate with them.

You have to speak up because to say nothing is to let that kind of bigotry go unchecked. Kudos for turning her in. That is so ugly and so totally unnecessary. If people want to spew bigotry let them do it with people they know or behind closed doors. Cashiers have no call to be so unprofessional.

I would have told the cashier, "I like the way she looks with blond hair." which would have been a very clear message. They invariably clam right up just in case I decide to report them.

[Window]

18. Good on you!

:thumbsup:

[donheld]

19. Good for you

you did the right thing.

[Dinger]

20. Thank You

It's hours later, and I'm still stunned and disgusted.