Blog Post #1: What Would You Do?

What Would You Do - White Girlfriend in Black Barbershop

I chose this particular "What Would You Do?" scenario because I found it to be so pertinent to today's climate, especially in our country.  While some would say that racial tension has decreased tremendously and to some extent, I might agree with this, with the rise of social media and far quicker means of communicating, people have become much more vocal, much more direct with their opinions--both positive and negative--and far less accountable for the repercussions that may come with such unfiltered thoughts.

As much as I'd like to say I'd stand up in this situation, it's really easier said than done.  My husband and I both like to think of ourselves as morally passionate.  We both will stop to talk and/or help a homeless person.  We both will offer assistance to strangers who seem like they are struggling whether it be elderly needing help reading a product label, a physically handicapped person who can't quite carry an item, or letting someone know that they dropped some cash.  However, these aren't awkward nor intense occurrences and it's difficult to say if I'd actually confront someone who is being as irate as the black woman in this video.

I was especially emotional when the HR representative spoke to both women.  Even though these women were both actresses for the show, the HR woman who spoke up genuinely touched their hearts.  The way she handled what could have been a disaster was just so admirable and eloquent.  She could have just as easily just scolded the black barber, but instead, she reached deep and wanted to not only get to the root of the issue, but help resolve it as well.  There were others who stood up for the white girlfriend, but the HR lady was definitely my favorite.

I have, on multiple occasions, experienced racial prejudice.   When my family and I were in Italy on vacation in 1997, we were ignored for hours at a restaurant as the host kept taking party after party to their tables, all of which arrived after us.  No one said anything. In middle school, a boy used to taunt me with racial slurs, pulling his eyes to a slant.  He did this every day.  No one said anything.  Just last year, my husband and I were at our community pool when a young white boy kept shouting, "Ching Chong Ching Chong!" and just as I was about to tell him off, another couple we had NEVER met before scolded the boy and then asked to speak to his mother.

To put it frankly, if I was around in this barbershop situation, I'm not sure what I would do.  More than likely I would say something, but I would probably make it quick and painless. I'm not a very dramatic person, nor would I want to make a scene BUT when something wrong is happening, it really does bother me.