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Black Ink March 25,1991 10 Racism In The Free Market The hate and ignorance behind the Jim Crow No Colored Allowed" signs is still evident in 1991 // By Teresa Jefferson Staff You know the story. It’s the same song for African-Americans and other targeted minorities eve rywhere. You go into a store, and ail you want is to look at the mer chandise, ponder a purchase and be treated with a little courtesy. But there many times when you must confront overt racist actions when all you really wanted to do was shop in peace. While America can have no idea what it feels like to enter a place of business and be treated like an outcast, not because of what you are wearing, how much noise you are making or how much money it looks like you make, but because of the color of your skin. 1 challenge any African-American to honestly say they have never been the object of racist treatment — overt or covert — in places of business. I do not know any. The setting and the characters may vary, but its always the same song. Raise your hand if you know exactly what I am talking about, if you have felt the clenching of leeth as you try to stay calm and not cause a scene, thereby perpetuating a stereotype, if you have heaved a heavy sigh of frustration when you hear others remark misunder- standingly how oversensitive Af rican-Americans are, or if you have experienced the bewilderment and anger after the obvious snub of a bigoted clerk who is probably not even old enough to drive. Here are a few examples that may bring back some not-so-pleasant memo ries. 1.) You hear there is a sal6 at a local department store, so you go in to check it ouL No sooner than you walk into the door than an obvious undercover security per son starts following you, pretend ing to shop. Now you know you entered the store at the same time as a few more people, but some how you are picked out as the and left at the cash register to de fend your entire race? I once heard a white professor proclaim she knew exactly what African-Ameri cans felt. She said many times she had been snubbed in stores be cause of the way she dressed, or because she had her kids with her. I just shook my head in utter frus tration. How could she possibly compare the two? She could go home and change, drop the kids off, return and receive totally dif ferent treatment 1, on the other hand, could enter the same store Commentary criminal threat. The only differ ence between you and the other unharassed patrons is the skin you are in. 2.)You make your habitual stop in the record store to see what’s new. Immediately you notice all the R&B, soul and rap cassettes and anything else predominantly purchased by African-Americans have been moved to the front of the store. You inquire why and receive some vague comment about security risks. Is it me, or in both these occa sions have you been slapped across the face, told in so many words that you are nothing and your strides forequality and acceptance in this country count for nothing from achauffeured limousine with jewels and cash spilling onto the pavement and Ph.D’s pinned to my coat and still be considered a worthless nigger who wandered off the street probably just to keep warm or pocket a few things and who definitely cannot afford any thing in the store. Every time it happens (and it happens all too often), I shudder. 1 shudder to think that in this day and time I am forced to deal with such ignorance on a day-to-day basis. The “No Coloreds Allowed” signs may have been removed from the walls, but African-Americans in 1991 must still face the hate and ignorance that placed them there. Check Out The Wesley Fomdation On Apdl 10, the W«^m North Conference at the Pfeiffer Sdence Complex the camt>us of Bermett It ^ A Wesley Foundation (an intentional commtmity) for the 1991-92 academic year. Since the 1960s, it has cotnmitted itself to an interracial community. Applications are available at the Union or at the Wesley Foundation, 214 Pittsboro . Street, 942-2152 SCALE (Student Coalition for Action in Literacy Education) Is a national network of college student* committed to increasing literacy as a-tool for the transformation of individuals and society The Question is: transformation in whose image! using whose wisdom? whose history! and whose creativity! YOU can be part of shaping SCALE's vision SCALE volunteer staff people 'organize conferences *raise funds •write and edit newsletters •communicate with students from over 500 campuses across the country •determine SCALE's program agenda To leam more: Come to the SCALE office (013 Peabody Hall) or call 962-1542
Black Ink (Black Student Movement, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
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March 25, 1991, edition 1
10
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