People of Color Vignette #2
(no race or ethnic group specified)

This is a story relayed by a white woman:

While visiting my friend in the hospital I went up to the nursing station to ask the white charge nurse about my friend’s discharge time.  There was a man of color standing in front of me attempting to convey to the charge nurse that there was an error in the paperwork she had given him.  The man spoke with an accent.

Although I had no difficulty understanding his words, she apparently could not make out what he was saying.  Rather than ask him to repeat what he had said she simply turned to me, a familiar looking white face, asking "May I help you?"

I just pointed to the man and took a step back.

            Commentary to People of Color Vignette #2

In this vignette the person of color has an accent, probably learning English as a second language.  In contrast to Europe where many people speak at least two languages, the majority of white Americans who are born in this country speak only English.

Some assume that everyone should be able to speak English as well as they do.  They become impatient when they can’t immediately understand a person who has an accent.

The white woman demonstrates an important way of being an ally to a person of color. She refuses to cooperate or collude as another white person is giving her preference.

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