DUers of Color: Tell Your Story

[happy feet]

69. Black female here

Thank-you for noticing who was there first. As a black female, I can't tell you how seldom a person in your situation does this.

I used to let it slide but as I grew older, I always speak up for myself. I've had every kind of reaction --- from the other customer arguing they were there first (they looked at me when they walked up) TO the clerk calling me a liar with a disgusted look on their face before proceeding to wait on the other person, and everything in between. Don't worry, when they don't acknowledge the mistake and wait on me --- I have my ways of calmly but deliberately inflicting pain on the clerk, management and the establishment until I elicit an apology. Post apology I return any/all merchandise I purchased as they stand there. I'm never quiet.

It's so normal that I have to fend for myself (airports, hotels, retail stores, ticket lines, et al), I'm effusive with thanks when people do what you do. It's almost like being affirmed that I am a fellow human being. --- which when you think about it is quite a sad way to exist in the world.

So THANK-YOU for what you did.