[ladysycamore]

Originally posted by dhamsaic
I agree with you on the fact that profiling is wrong.
Being a young professional with hair that's probably nearing 3 feet long, a demeanor that dictates that I don't tuck my shirt in (read: "look like a slob"), a good little bit of facial hair and a habit of spending some of the money I make (read: going into stores a lot), I've been tailed numerous times. Why? 'Cause of the way I look. Young dudes with long hair are more mistrusted, apparently, 'cause I am treated lik e a criminal at the store. People follow me around, come keep a close eye on me, just sit and stare as I shop, etc. No doubt, some of them are thinking "We'll catch this dirtbag doing something."
Then there's the whole drug thing - everyone assumes that, because of said traits listed above (save for the fact that I spend the money I make), people assume I'm a druggie. I tell 'em "Nope. Never in my fucking life" they say "I don't believe that." Well fucking believe it, you mongrel idiot (no, not YOU! ). Apparently every male with long hair, some whiskers on his face and an untucked shirt smokes a lot of pot, when, in my case, nothing could be farther from the truth. I was shot in the eye when I was 14 - my right eye is still red from it. I have been asked, on more than one occasion - "Hey man, you stoned or what?" - and they don't believe me when I say "No."

Ok, I understand, and I have seen that happen with young white males with long hair, and that "criminal" look, for a lack of a better phrase. However, one can change a "look"...I can not change my color. I remember watching a report about an experiement that was done in a store in Dallas (if I recall correctly). This experiment was recorded on tape. Two men, one white and one black, entered the store. Now, bear in mind this is a "high-end" men's clothing store, and both men were wearing suits. Both men were approached by the sales clerks. They both declined help, said they were just browsing for the moment, and went on about their business. It was shown that the black man was being tailed more closely than the white man. Why am I not suprised? It didn't matter that the black man was "clean cut" and well dressed: he was going to be profiled REGARDLESS.

Unfortunately for me, younger kids shoplift more frequently than Eskimos do (or businessmen, or Data Entry Specialists, or Systems Engineers, of which I am one). And, unfortunately for me, younger people are generally thought to have a higher drug-usage rate (though I am ignorant of actual statistics pitting teenage use vs. young adult or middle age use). Statistically, I'm more likely to fit into these groups than the old lady in Electronics looking for a GameCube for her grandson. Statistics.

I can't wait for the day that that old lady in Electronics actually lifts that GameCube for her grandson, and trust me: it WILL happen. Possibility.

You <b>can</b> do a little something about it, though: if you know you're being tailed by someone, approach them. Tell them, very politely, "I'd like to speak to your manager right now." When the manager gets out there, tell them "Look, I've been a customer of your store for quite some time, and I really do enjoy shopping here. However, if you continue treating me like a criminal, I'll be forced to take my business elsewhere." Make sure to mention that you do not steal, have not stolen, and will not steal from their store. If they continue giving you shit, go elsewhere - they're not worth doing business with.

Hrm...nice idea in theory. Remember: If I am being treated like a common criminal because I am black, they are not going to care if I take my business elsewhere. One less so-and-so in their store to profile.


Anyway. I know it sucks, but there isn't much we can do about it. Statistics happen to work against us in these cases - not for us.

dham: I understand and respect your opinion on this matter. But, I can not agree with the term "us". Statistics will always work against ME. If you say that you are profiled because of age and looks, well, you'll eventually grow older, and perhaps change your look. However, I will ALWAYS be black, no matter the age or look, and therefore, will ALWAYS be profiled to some extent.