Racial Profiling

Many years ago I heard the comedian Jimmy Walker say: In Northern Ireland everyone hates the Catholics. It just goes to show in a country where there are no blacks, Puerto Ricans or Jews, people will make do with the minority they have.

I was the only Caucasian in a sea of non-Caucasians at Big Lots!

I am contented to find bargains no matter where they bring me.

And when I got to the register the African-American cashier said to me with a hint of judgment You don’t have a Big Lots! discount card right?

And I said No—should I?

At which point I received a double dose of  disdain: Well only if you shop here often which I am sure you don’t.

And I was a little bit insulted. The fact is that I do shop at Big Lots! often enough. I have bought lots of awesome things at a fraction of the price that I would have paid elsewhere. Was she suggesting that I was not entitled to such discounts? Did my skin color and attire deem me inappropriate for the status of the store? Was I not good enough to shop there?

So I said Actually I shop here quite often so yes I would like a discount card application.

Anyone can be a victim of racial profiling. All that is required is a race and someone with an aversion to it.