Dying, but not dead: Racism in Los Angeles.

Dying, but not dead: Racism in Los Angeles.
By: Dawn R. Johnson, “The Self-Esteem Queen”™

I recently visited the Mont Blanc boutique in the Beverly Center Mall in order to buy a gift for my accountant. Older men are notoriously difficult to shop for, so I thought a nice pen would be a gesture of my consideration and thoughtfulness. However, consideration and thoughtfulness were nowhere on display in this particular Mont Blanc boutique.

I was ignored for several minutes before being approached by a salesperson. I would like to say it's because they were busy, but other (and “less melanin challenged”) customers came into the store after me and were greeted and waited upon with exuberance. When I was finally assisted, I was patronized and ridiculed with such questions as, "You do know how much these items costs?" as if I were unaware of the store that I was in.

I continued to allow my patience to be tested as the salesperson showed me the cheapest pens in the store. He then asked me a series of questions (“What kind of watch does your accountant wear”, “What color is his watch; silver?”) without giving me an explanation to how these questions were going to get me closer to that pen for my accountant.

After I had reached my point of irritation, I quietly told the salesperson “I am here to purchase a pen for my accountant. I am aware of the pricing in this store, and it doesn’t bother me. I would like to purchase a pen that is in the medium price range. That would be anywhere from $400.00 - $600.00. I want to be shown all the pens in this price range so I can make a decision based on my preference, not on pricing. By the way, I don't like the way in which you're treating me, and I really feel like you are not giving me the customer service I deserve.”

The salesperson then abruptly stopped midway through my transaction and asked someone else to help me; no explanation, no apology, no nothing. I then asked to speak to the manager, who then came out and attempted to buy off my complaint by “giving” me a perfume bottle clearly marked “demonstration tester” and a gift card to a coffee shop. I was beyond offended. I did not come into this store to get a “free gift with purchase” nor did I come to make a bargain yet, I was treated as if I were in the middle of the garment district playing “Let’s make a deal.”

Now then, for the record, I am not some Jesse Jackson acolyte who sees racism lurking behind every corner. I am not some person out of work complaining about how "the white man keeps the black man down." I recognize that there is a world of difference between a lynch mob hanging me from a tree and some jerk of a clerk looking down his nose at me because I'm young, pretty, and Black.

I am not saying that racism isn't dying, because it is--finally being smothered to death by character, higher standards, diversity and reason. To be sure, we live in a climate that now allows the consideration of a Hilary Clinton / Barack Obama administration versus a possible Rudy Giuliani / Condoleezza Rice ticket across the aisle. If that isn't progress, then I don't know what is.

What I am saying is that the attitude of this Mont Blanc salesperson and the recent tirades (and subsequent flimsy apologies) by Michael Richards, Don Imus, Vivica A. Fox, Andy Dick, and Mel Gibson reveal that the anachronism of racism is still prevalent. There are those out there who continue to hold to the ancient notions that the amount of melanin in one's skin is somehow relevant to one's wealth or character. Sadly, there are a few more persons still fighting that old, dying, race-based fight; every bit as defeated and futile as the old Japanese soldiers hiding out on islands, still fighting World War II in the '50's.

As an educated Black woman, my initial reaction to this blatant lack of regard by “Mr. Mont Blanc” was sadness, pity, and indignation. Upon reflection, my reaction as a person (regardless of my color or gender) is contempt, with a nice healthy dose of pity thrown in for good measure. I was tempted to dismiss “Mr. Mont Blanc” because of ignorance, but because ignorance is a lack of knowledge, “Mr. Mont Blanc” does not receive the luxury of that excuse.

Since I believe that he had full knowledge of his snobbery and racism, I find that this wasn't ignorance--it was a lack of wisdom. It was unwise because I surely will not be the last to expose this Neanderthal for the troglodyte he is, as well as Mont Blanc for being the paternalistic endorsers of these ideals. There is no more room in America, California, or Los Angeles for this ridiculous and shameful behavior because this very behavior keeps the dying corpse of racism on life support.

I decided to give my accountant the pen along with a copy of this letter. I do not plan to boycott Mont Blanc; I just do not plan to give my money to the boutique in the Beverly Center Mall. Perhaps what they could use now is some diversity training. If not, they stand to lose a lot more business from my fellow college educated “melanin challenged” colleagues.

© 2006-2007 Dawn R. Johnson – “The Self-Esteem Queen”™

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A celebrated servant-leader, internationally recognized motivational speaker, author, business coach & small business consultant, serial entrepreneur and spoken word artist, Dawn Johnson, the acclaimed “Self Esteem Queen”™, is one of today’s leading experts on transformational leadership, entrepreneur personal development, and self-esteem enhancement. To learn more about Dawn’s products and sign up to receive FREE tips on business, personal enhancement, visit her site at http://www.selfesteemqueen.com.

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