[ShirleyAvery]

I’m white and I’ve lived in ethnically diverse community the last 20 years with blacks, whites, asians, latinos. When I go to a store where a black employee has a little power, some of them seem to enjoy using that power as payback for their ancestor’s slavery. I notice they treat me and other white customers the same, ignoring us, making us wait longer. They treat us with undeserved hostility. The unspoken message seems to be: “now we’ll show you how it feels to be treated inferior, honky.” Asian and Latinos never treat me that way. Hey, my white ancestors immigrate come to America until WWI, long after slavery. They came to America because they were the victims of persecution in Europe. Just Curious

User Detail :  

Name : ShirleyAvery, Gender : F, Disability : none, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Jewish, Age : 52, City : st. louis, State : MO, Country : United States, Occupation : writer, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Dot]

I too am descended from whites that weren’t even here during slavery. However, some blacks perceive that simply being white has enabled us to gain better jobs, housing, education, etc. Ergo the attitude. Interestingly, in my region, Southern California, blacks and whites mostly get along okay but both races are treated as you describe above by the Latino majority in our city.

User Detail :  

Name : Dot, Gender : Female, Age : none, City : L.A., State : CA, Country : United States, Social class : Middle class, 

[JessicaJ]

Just like people can’t assume that all whites are racist, you can’t assume that every black person in a menial job is trying to execute “payback” on white people. It sounds like you’re projecting your insecurities as a white person uneasy with blacks (with this notion of reverse racism) on the very group that you feel uneasy with. Chances are, many of these same employees treat black customers just as rudely, but you see what you want to see. I’ve been on the receiving end of negative treatment by various establishments from black employees (and I’m black). I’ve also experienced negative treatment by white employees in menial jobs. Does that mean that every white person who is rude to me is racist and upset that they have to serve black people? Not necessarily. Maybe, regardle

User Detail :  

Name : JessicaJ, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 20, City : Columbus, State : OH, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : 2 Years of College, 

[JackWheeler]

I agree with Jessica J., that you’re projecting your own racial insecurities on minimum wage blacks. You’re not being paid back for slavery, or any perceived privilege. I’m black and the fact is that if I went to that same store, chances are that that black employee who gave you poor service would give me poor service, too. In general, Asians and Latinos are much more familiar than blacks and whites are with the maxim that there is dignity in ALL work.

User Detail :  

Name : JackWheeler, Gender : Male, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, City : Tampa, State : FL, Country : United States, Education level : 4 Years of College, 

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