Rapper sensation Wiz Khalifa recently took a trip to Barney’s New
York, a popular department store, in Beverly Hills. Despite spending
$16,000 on merchandise for his girlfriend Amber Rose and family, Wiz
was later treated like a “thief” when browsing in the men’s
department, according to Radar Online.
A patron who was reportedly present at the department store said:
After his spending spree on the shoes, Wiz went up to the ultra
expensive men’s department floor, but instead of rolling out the red
carpet for him they refused to help the poor guy! Not only did they
fail to recognize him they actually thought that that he was a thief
and treated him like one! It was only when somebody pointed out to
them who the guy actually was that they back-tracked somewhat.
I must say that I’m not surprised in the least by Khalifa’s
mistreatment. Racial profiling is still very prevalent, and I’m not
particularly sure it will ever dissipate.
Although I wouldn’t categorize Wiz Khalifa, 23, as harmful or a
“klepto,” I’ll admit that he does fall into the stereotypical urban
youth look, normally wearing a fitted, crewneck and sagged jeans. But
stereotypes are such hackneyed constructs. Classifying the “urban”
look with the likes of thieves, gang bangers, rapists and abusers is
down right reprehensible.
The urban style is a part of a culture, and should be embraced just
like any other culture. Unless the setting is in a boardroom (there’s
a time and place for everything), I see no qualms in wearing jeans,
sneakers and a fitted if one so chooses to do so.
But sadly, Wiz Khalifa’s crude mistreatment at Barney’s is a painful
reminder that in White America, a Black man is menacing. Black men, no
matter their socio-economic status, still find themselves marginalized
for being Black. Yes Wiz may sag his pants and smoke a little
marijuana, but who are we to judge? How you present yourself matters,
but no one should be treated differently based off of baseless
assumptions.
Black men should not have to conform to European standards to get
something as basic as good service. We are consumers, too. If one can
take a Black man’s money, one can equally as much give him the respect
he deserves.
If I were Wiz, I would have returned all the merchandise—every $16,000
worth—and taken my money elsewhere. It needs to be made clear that
discourtesy based on race and culture will not be tolerated in any
shape of form. Nonetheless, Wiz learned a valuable lesson: not even a
Black millionaire is immune to the scathing blow of racial profiling
York, a popular department store, in Beverly Hills. Despite spending
$16,000 on merchandise for his girlfriend Amber Rose and family, Wiz
was later treated like a “thief” when browsing in the men’s
department, according to Radar Online.
A patron who was reportedly present at the department store said:
After his spending spree on the shoes, Wiz went up to the ultra
expensive men’s department floor, but instead of rolling out the red
carpet for him they refused to help the poor guy! Not only did they
fail to recognize him they actually thought that that he was a thief
and treated him like one! It was only when somebody pointed out to
them who the guy actually was that they back-tracked somewhat.
I must say that I’m not surprised in the least by Khalifa’s
mistreatment. Racial profiling is still very prevalent, and I’m not
particularly sure it will ever dissipate.
Although I wouldn’t categorize Wiz Khalifa, 23, as harmful or a
“klepto,” I’ll admit that he does fall into the stereotypical urban
youth look, normally wearing a fitted, crewneck and sagged jeans. But
stereotypes are such hackneyed constructs. Classifying the “urban”
look with the likes of thieves, gang bangers, rapists and abusers is
down right reprehensible.
The urban style is a part of a culture, and should be embraced just
like any other culture. Unless the setting is in a boardroom (there’s
a time and place for everything), I see no qualms in wearing jeans,
sneakers and a fitted if one so chooses to do so.
But sadly, Wiz Khalifa’s crude mistreatment at Barney’s is a painful
reminder that in White America, a Black man is menacing. Black men, no
matter their socio-economic status, still find themselves marginalized
for being Black. Yes Wiz may sag his pants and smoke a little
marijuana, but who are we to judge? How you present yourself matters,
but no one should be treated differently based off of baseless
assumptions.
Black men should not have to conform to European standards to get
something as basic as good service. We are consumers, too. If one can
take a Black man’s money, one can equally as much give him the respect
he deserves.
If I were Wiz, I would have returned all the merchandise—every $16,000
worth—and taken my money elsewhere. It needs to be made clear that
discourtesy based on race and culture will not be tolerated in any
shape of form. Nonetheless, Wiz learned a valuable lesson: not even a
Black millionaire is immune to the scathing blow of racial profiling
Proverbs 23:6- Eat thou not the bread of [him that hath] an evil eye,
neither desire thou his dainty meats:
Proverbs 3:31- Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
No comments:
Post a Comment