A clear case of racism?

[MikeV]

Hey guys.

well, this happened awhile ago but me and my friends recently started talking about it and I thought I would share:

Okay, so we go to this convient store to buy candy and exchange some change for bills (HATE having change! )

So, when we get to the counter the cashier looked at us all (picture this image: two Italian/portuguese guys, a brazilian guy and an African Canadian guy (lol)

Instantly he says to our African Canadian friend "you! I saw you eat a candy already, thats the second in your hand"

He says back to the guy "what are you talking about? you can check the cameras I didn't steal anything" finally we backed him up, because its true he didn't take anything without paying

Now.. was this guy racist?

out of all the people who were standing in the same spot, looking at the same candy he picks the black guy

Really?

Just thought id share, looking back on it its hilarious

[Freakie_frog]

Nope not a racist.

Racism: a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.

Now was he singling out your friend due to race..seems that way doesn't make him a racist.

[llovelace]

No not racism, prejudicial stereotyping, yes

[MikeV]

never thought of it that way, interesting

[Cendalla]

I would have made that cashier sit down and go over the film. An accusation shouldn't be made lightly. On the flip side- my mom is the one who munches on the grapes, cherries, and other produce in a store. Says thats the only way she'll decide to buy it. I think she just wants a snack. Sigh...

[TomC]

I think it could have been racially biased if the persons reason for the accusation was because he was black. On the other hand he could have really thought he saw it, in which case it would have nothing to do with race.

The only way to know for sure would be to know what the cashier was thinking and that is impossible.

I think racism is horrible but I also hate when people automatically default to race any time someone says something derogatory.

[wolfy-hound]

He could have thought he saw something regarding your friend.

If he saw nothing and just assumed, it would be profiling if he has a lot of Canadians coming in and eating candy bars.

I doubt that he would just make up that someone ate a candy bar and point out the single Canadian. He might be naturally suspicious and saw your friend with his hand near his mouth and then jumped to the conclusion that because he bought a candy bar, he might have been eating one earlier. Maybe your friend was dressed the same as someone else who ate candy bars in the store before and he's assuming it's the same guy?

I wouldn't call it racist.

[lucylove]

There is no one definition for racism. Racism has a complete body of stipulations that encompasses more than the definition given above. I have studied political science at Stanford University and believe that this situation is too ambiguious to determine whether or not the clerk/store owner was being racist. If you want to experienec racism at its finest live and fresh, you should play COD Black Ops. I am constantly called ":cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:" while playing the game.