My friend who is white and I are shopping in an upscale clothing store in a racially mixed area in Oakland, California. We are looking through a rack of blouses. Noticing the high prices on the tags I say to my friend, “I don’t see how black people can afford to shop here.”

Commentary to African American Vignette #4

The writer of this vignette continues:

After I made this comment my friend said, “That’s a racist remark. There are plenty of middle class black people.” This was a real “ah-ha” experience - directly showing me how I was stereotyping all black people as being low income. (Author’s note: Here is an instance of one white person taking up the task of educating another about racism.) Her matter-of-factness helped me take in what she said without being defensive.”

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