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Portia Cobb, a professor at UWM and a filmmaker, writes about how a $6 purchase at what used to be one of her favorite east side eateries has led her to reassess how she navigates between segregated and privileged communities.
How does a person who has experienced racial profiling or profiling of any kind articulate it to others outside of that experience? What will make them believe it actually happened-even if they have never experienced it in the spaces they describe as inclusive, safe or liberal?
In my own experience of being profiled at an east side eatery last spring, the reality of an isolated moment that may have been interpreted as a slight has grown into enormous proportions because I talked about it.
I was recently called out on social media by one rogue sympathizer of the aforementioned establishment for “looking for a cause to hate white people” and for holding on to my own “pent up anger against whites.” This person posted that they could call me out because they themselves were Native American with drops of African ancestry. They felt I was out of line to presume that my single experience was based on race at a place where black people held jobs. They felt I was trying to shut down a perfectly good business over a $6 purchase.
Here is a summary of my experience:
This all began last May when I questioned a checkout procedure for me that didn’t apply to a woman ahead of me in line who happened to be white and was purchasing similar items. I had been a regular customer at this eatery for the nearly 28 years I’ve lived in Milwaukee.
I am familiar that hot items require a separate process than other retail items. On that day, at the deli, I ordered a hot item, and as I presented the additional retail item, I remembered that I would need to pay for it separately at the main cash register. This was not the problem.
The young person behind the deli counter said I had the option to pay for both at the register (I had done that before.). However, she then said, “Pay for both over there and return here to me with this stamped chit” and gingerly handed me the chit. My food item was already packaged and in a bag. She said she would hold it for me behind the deli counter to retrieve after I paid. I was confused and annoyed but followed the protocol.
The woman in front of me at the general register placed her basket on the counter. Her basket contained a mix of items from the retail part of the store and about 10 other hot food items that hadn’t yet been paid for. In my mind, an alarm sounded and a familiar sixth sense of some kind.
When I witnessed that transaction, I realized that I was being treated differently. Did the deli server think I would steal a burrito while the lady in front of me had walked around the store with her items and didn’t have to follow the same protocol? I pushed that thought into the recesses of my mind but remained annoyed. I wanted answers.
I turned to see the deli server observing me from behind the counter as I stood in line at the general checkout area with my chit. I racked my brain, as I didn’t remember that procedure being handled in that way in the past. I questioned the “I will hold your food item here for you until you return with the chit showing proof of purchase” part.
After I had my chit stamped and returned for my burrito, the young woman behind the counter handed me my purchase. When I questioned why the woman ahead of me didn’t have to follow the same protocol, she offered that she didn’t know-but that she, herself, followed store policy and couldn’t vouch for what others did or didn’t do. She then became agitated and asked if I would like to speak with her manager. I said “sure.”
She marched to the manager’s office, and I moved toward the end of the deli counter to witness her gesturing toward me (The office is visible through a window.). The manager stood and came out to greet me. He began with, “I’m sorry if you feel that you were profiled.” I was speechless, as I hadn’t used this verb in my question to her about the method of the transaction and hadn’t begun to frame a question for him. So once again an alarm rang in my subconsciousness. Aha! That is what she was doing!
I explained that I had witnessed another customer ahead of me with similar items who didn’t have to follow policy. He said he didn’t witness that happen and couldn’t speak to it but offered again his apology for me “feeling” profiled and being made unhappy. I asked about any posted signage about this policy, and he said there wasn’t any, but he realized-in that moment-they would now need to place some signs near the registers to avoid confusion.
I left with my burrito and one retail item feeling conflicted and preoccupied about what had taken place, replaying the tape in my head.
I went back to my workspace and stared at the bag with its bright red logo for about an hour before I decided to write across the top of that logo with a bright red Sharpie marker, “I was racially profiled today @__________.
I stared at the bag, and the words I had written seemed to validate my experience, not make it a question, but a reality . . . a fact! I shared it on my two social media accounts with a question and statement in my status.
“When you ask yourself why your monetary transaction was handled differently from another customer who is “white presenting,” but you don’t describe them as such & you are assured that it is policy…that, “you were not being Profiled!” without you even using the words “white” or “profiled” then you realize, because you are calling into question a policy that seems only to apply to you by example…Yes! You were profiled!”
A few days after this happened, and my social media blew up with commentary, one of the owners of the establishment sent me an email, asking to meet, and I obliged to meet him anywhere but at his store. When we met, he immediately extended a verbal apology and shared his empathy about the experience. He said, “I believe it happened. No question.” I believed him. I believed he was remorseful. This put me at ease, as did his pledge to work with me toward planning a community action to address, apologize and train his employees to prevent this from happening again. We framed it around a community-involved teach-in/forum/table with trained mediators. This hasn’t happened.
Time got in between, with the start of summer and following up with him months later. I eventually was sent a lukewarm response that said the business was working to resolve these matters internally.
Where are we now?
I was a self-professed loyalist before this occurred. But now? I’m woke.
I’ve kept a promise to myself that I would not cross the threshold of that store again. I have not been back. I have also reminded friends, colleagues and associates about my experience when they mention eating or ordering food from there.
When asked by others how they could support me, I’ve asked folks to stand in solidarity with me-if they believed it happened, if they cared that it shouldn’t happen to anyone. In turn, folks have written letters, sent notes and called the business about their disappointment that this occurred there and that no actions have been taken to resolve or reconcile.
I am asked what I want.
I hold out hope that the owners demonstrate they are intolerant of biased behaviors by their employees by not framing it as a flaw in their checkout procedure. Furthermore, I would like them to take what has happened seriously-whether on or off Facebook and Instagram. Move the needle, raise the vibration and sustain actions to change any and all types of biases and gestures leading to discrimination of any kind.
I was born in the mid-50s. I am no stranger to racial profiling, yet I was caught off-guard, was shocked when all the feels were present. I am usually self-aware in spaces where there is a climate of distrust of otherness; of blackness; of brown-ness. I navigate between the Midwest and the South, so I am self-aware of the spaces that are inclusive and those that are not. Before this encounter, I hadn’t felt unwelcomed or distrusted in that space.
That I would need to reframe my experience again and again to persuade skeptics that this happened, that I would have to second guess my own intuition about this type of behavior-one that I have long been familiar with-is profoundly distressing. I am reminded of my childhood and of learning to navigate between segregated and privileged communities. What I experienced is not new, is not something I didn’t recognize, is not something I imagined or projected and is not something I will soon forget. This is NOT something that should be dismissed, diminished or made out to be a lie by those who have never experienced it.
Karen says
I am so sorry that this occurred. As a person of privilege, I stand in support of your boycott! and, while I will miss my black bean burritos, I strive for a world of equity and inclusion. Please keep us posted if the management gets “woke” and decides to take a more public stance on the issue. I think they will be surprised by the extra dded support they will receive from within their consumer base.
WokeLib72 says
Totally agree – these burrito holding white supremacists must be stopped! We won’t stand for this in our community.
Cathy says
I am a white, 61 year old woman. I moved to Silicon Valley 4.5 years ago from Milwaukee. I encounter white privilege here on a weekly basis. The profiling is primarily against people of Hispanic descent.
It’s rampant here. I’ve gained confidence and courage by speaking out whenever I see it happen. Quick example; I’m in a checkout line behind a Latino woman who is trying to return a clothing item, tags on the item, clearly unworn, but she has no receipt. They deny her the return. She leaves, I have a return with no receipt, absolutely no problem! I run out to the parking lot, talk to the woman, we go back in together to the same check out person and I insist in a very loud voice that this woman be granted the same privilege I was just given! Everyone stares, I don’t care, and the return is made!
Anne says
Why is making people follow rules is racial profiling? There is NO white privilege only the author’s delusion. What happened to minding your own business and paying attention to your own affairs rather than the person ahead of you in line? Maybe that was her niece ringing her up? Do you read people’s texts over their shoulder too?
Nikki says
I agree. Following rules is not racial profiling. What if it was her niece? Then the niece did not follow the rules. The niece should be fired. If the niece is not fired then they are showing preference. If the rules are what we will stand on, then they must apply to all customers, not just those with brown skin. What is described is a woman minding her business, and exercising her right to spend money at establishments that do not support employees who have different rules for different people. Because of course it wasn’t racial profiling. It was probably just her niece, breaking the rules.
Irma says
“WHy iS mAkiNg pEoPle fOllOw rUlEs is RaCiAl pRoFiLiNg?”
Black customer: these rules have to be followed.
White customer: nah, let her walk around the store.
Did you miss that part of the story? Also: the author didn’t use the word “profiling” first, the MANAGER did when he gave her that milquetoast non-apology.
jon says
As a black person… This just seems like a misunderstanding of store policy that happened to involve a white and black person. And then a manager not using the correct verbiage. Given the charged climate I get it. But come on …
Paula Penebaker says
Good for you! More people need to be as bold.
Terri says
I have had this happen several times at Beans. I never know what check out procedure I’ll get that day. Been like that the last few years. I am a white lady. It all depends on which employee is taking care of my order.
Karen says
It’s never once happened to me! And, as a white person myself, it would be easy to dismiss the inconsistencies. HOWEVER, not knowing what it’s like to grow up under the scrutiny of people assuming all sorts of things based on the color of my skin, I am very sensitive to discrepancies that may come off as micro-aggressions and the longer-term negative effects of those actions. Consistency or posting a procedural sign at the deli will clear all of this up. Oh, yeah, and following through with their original remedy which sounded like something the op-ed writer also thought was a good idea. Why be shy about the fact that we are all growing and learning every day how to be better human beings?!
Paula Penebaker says
Hear! Hear!
Erin says
THis is so disappointing. My family and I will not be patronizing this establishment until this is addressed. This particular restaurant has a responsibility to this community as it is beloved by generations. Do better for this city!!
Bob White says
You’re the problem. You take an innocent transaction and turn it into something racial. How on earth will you ever really be equal if all you do is look for, and talk about inequality? Just be a person instead of being a black person. Life will be so much easier. Of course, you won’t have as much to complain about, or material to place yourself in this tiny spotlight. A small price to pay.
Jayne says
Dear Mr. White,
I believe you to be so mistaken. I have known Ms. Portia Cobb For over 20 years and in my mind she’s not only an equal being but a superior being.! I am sorry that this happened to you Portia!
Really if we want equity I believe we as white people need to first recognize how soul harming racial profiling is for all of us.. Then work within ourselves to see what we ourselves can shift right now. We can work outside of ourselves to see how we can invite others in the white community to make change. And recognize that this liberation work exists on a spectrum and will need to happen for at least our whole lifetime & most likely beyond. I have been a loyal customer of Beans for the 24 years that I have lived here. And I will boycott it right now until I hear that things have adequately shifted. There is a real opportunity here for Beans as a positive leader in the community to demonstrate how we can step up and make changes that are in favor of equity & unity. Beans, I really ask that you be the example and demonstrate how situations of racial profiling & micro aggression can be used as a opportunity to improve your business and our city. I have been grateful for the community environment that you have always provided. I want it to be a place where all feel truly and deeply welcome.
Jayne Ader
Nana Jewell says
To Mr. White- Just be a person- instead of a black person? You are clearly delusional if you think it’s easy to take off ones skin and leave every experience, every pre programmed and wrongfully inherited assumption at the door-with our removable nationalities. This statement is the epitome of white privilege cloaked in ignorance . To make the statement that it is our responsibility to assimilate and have zero thoughts or feelings at all about what it feels like to navigate this world as a person of color , is beyond me. It must be because you get to walk around society never having a care about if you are being watched, profiled, redlined, targeted, etc… Bottom line is you can’t tell someone how to feel- or to be “less black”. The day someone tells you to be “less white”, Mr. white will be the day you pick up your rage and tiki torch.
B says
But the thing is…she literally explained to you in essay for why she was treated differently. She didn’t do that to herself. The same employee just happened to remember the rules when she stepped up to the counter but didn’t hold the white person to the same rule, just one customer prior. YOU are the problem for not recognizing this interaction as racism.
Katy Rollins says
I have supported this establishment since its early days on Murray Ave. I have never observed this type of mixed message checkout but I am an older white woman. We do need a stronger response from current management. I hope they can clear this response to their customers soon. I, also will miss my favorite things until I hear of a resolution.
Nick says
You know what would stop racial profiling? If African Americans would stop leading the way in every possible arrest from murder to car thefts. The African American community is in shambles and they are afraid to look in the mirror. My gf is African American and we have had this conversation numerous times and as she states I won’t refuse to date a black guy but there are slim pickings for the good ones. You can’t expect other people’s actions to change before you change your own.
Brie Smith says
Please…get a clue.
All people are not the same as some people.
The human race is messed up; red and yellow, black, and white.
Christian Yelich's Good Knee says
An obvious troll. Not a single part of this post is true.
Newnew Jewell says
We will stop leading the way with these fictitious statistics when white males stop leading the way with domestic terrorism and mass shootings. Rude statement, isn’t it? And putting your girlfriend up as an example of the voice of reason because she has made the decision to date outside of her own race doesn’t mean anything. This does not make you the gold standard.
Stacey says
I’m sorry you encountered people like that…not everyone is like that
Denise says
Scripture paraphrased, “My people will perish because of their lack of knowledge.” Some of the above statements are fuel for this fire. What you don’t know can hurt you. Bravo Ms. Cobb for not only your outspoken “pulling back the sheet” alarm, but I commend you for being steadfast and standing on your convictions. If only more people would be truthful when they recognize a slight maybe we’d teach others to feel what it is really like walking in the shoes they fon’t wear. Maybe we’d bring about a better customer service revolution. Maybe we would not have to identify ourselves as white, black or privileged when offering our commentaries. Just maybe we’d learn a thing or two by listening to the experiences and perspectives of others. Growth regardless! IJS!
Reggie says
The range of reactions to this incident astound me. Clearly a patron of any establishment expects fair, respectful service. When that service is withheld, a patron (especially and long-standing one) should bring attention to the matter and demand satisfaction. The fact that race motivates the mistreatment should not be overlooked or be seen as a reason to dismiss the complaint. People rightly speak up if they feel the slight is rooted in gender bias, xenophobia, or just a bad tempered employee. But the mention of race always seems to inflame passions that make rational discussion virtual impossible. But race animus haunts every interaction; it is the ghost that hasn’t been exorcised. Perhaps we should take a page from Germany’s acknowledgement of Nazi history or South Africa’s exploration of truth and reconciliation in the aftermath of apartheid. Incidents like the one experienced by Professor Cobb must be exposed and brought into the light so that we might begin to purge the virulent infection of racism that has too long festered our society.
Mel says
What happened to you is 100% real and not appropriate. I am a white woman who went to the same eatery with a friend who is a person of color. I am older than my said friend and the woman behind the deli asked me if I needed a student discount. My younger friend, who mind you is actually a student, paid after me and wasn’t offered the discount. I immediately noticed that there seemed to be different treatment of my friend. I pointed it out and asked her to refund a portion of my friend’s purchase price. At that time she started lecturing my friend about notifying her that she was a student. I think I created a bigger headache. However, that establishment is off my list now.
Karen Hunt says
Your experience suggests that this is a built in bias and that Beans might benefit from having some lessons in de-biasing added to their employee development program. It’s so subtle. Make no mistake though subtlety does not mean it is not real, it does mean that it could be so sub-conscious that the offender is not even aware of their transgression. At least this discussion is raising the awareness level – let’s just see if Beans responds in a meaningful manner.
Chris Gramling says
Well said Professor Cobb. Unfortunately, it has been part of the American Culture for centuries. Whether it was the clerk’s intent or not only she knows but the end result is the same.
Jayne Holland says
I’m sorry you experienced this, Professor Cobb! I have been a loyal customer of Beans N Barley for 30 yrs. But I will not return until I hear there has been a resolution to this situation.
Sarah says
Professor Cobb, I believe you. Thank you for sharing this specific example of one small moment when the rules were applied differently for you versus the white woman ahead of you. I do not think that posting the rules will solve the problem. I am a white woman, and I have seen many situations where white people will ask for an exception to the rules to be made for them, with a firm expectation (based on past experience) that the exception will be granted. Speeding tickets, purchase returns without a receipt, late fees to be waived, the list goes on and on. I don’t think that many of us realize that if a person of color asks, they likely won’t get the same consideration. And the example shared here is just a part of that same pattern, sometimes we get the exception without even asking. That’s why our privilege is invisible to us much of the time. We need to believe people of color when they are trying to show us something that we otherwise cannot see.
This restaurant needs to take responsibility for the culture it expects from its employees, and should be willing to be open with the community about the actions they are taking to address unconscious bias. I am not surprised that an employee would have an unconscious bias. That is, unfortunately, pervasive in our culture. But the important thing is what is the restaurant doing to address it, once raised, especially by a longtime loyal customer? They should lean into the issue and take it as an opportunity to lead. Re-train your employees. (YWCA has some great programs.) Then tell the community what you have done. Ask what else may be needed. And if it happens again, which it may because unconscious bias is by its very nature difficult to change, take action again. It’s a journey.
Michelle says
Thank you for taking time to post this. A few months ago I was walking into Beans and Barley and witnessed a manager come out to a man that appeared to be homeless that was walking through the parking lot. The manager called the man disgusting and told him he needed to get off the property. I’m sure that many of the East Side businesses deal with panhandling, but this man was simply walking through the parking lot. Since this time I have not returned to Beans and Barley and do not plan to do so.
Beans & Barley – Microaggressions and discrimination is not an acceptable or appropriate.
Patrick says
I live across st. I know exactly who this man is and so did the manager.
Michelle says
So is this an excuse for his deplorable treatment by the manager, Patrick?
Meg says
I happen to be familiar with several of the regular East Side panhandlers. The man you are referring to had previously aggressively harassed and then followed one of their employees. He then returned several times to stalk that same employee and has spit on the people that ask him to leave. He’s been told he cannot be on the Beans & Barley property for the safety of the people who work there, yet still continues to “simply just walk through.”
C. says
As a frequent East Side goer, I’ve also witnessed many of the panhandlers on the East Side. The majority of them are nice enough, but the managers at Beans & Barley have more than once helped me from aggressive verbal situations there that arose just from me nicely denying contributions to the panhandlers. The management has always done what’s best for their customers, in my opinion, even if it means sticking out their own necks and getting spit on or abused.
Best not to judge before you know the whole story.
Me says
Such an imagination. I am white and have had same happen to me as you many times randomly and dont mind either way