White on white...

On Thursday the 29th of October 1998 I took a short trip with my friend Sarah. I begged and pleaded that she take me to the bank so that I may transfer some funds around in order to purchase a new piece of equipment for my computer. She kindly agreed and we sped off to the south Tacoma branch of USBank.

We got out of her car and approached the front doors of the building only to have a security guard open the door for us. I proceeded to wait in line for the next available teller when I noticed a black man enter the bank. No biggie. Just noticed him. Well, I was served and he was served and he left before Sarah and I did. When finally we were ready to depart, again the security guard opened the doors for us.

I realized the story behind all this while still in the bank. Both upon entering and exiting, the white security guard did not open the doors for the black man. I was sure that it was just a mistake but it was proven to me when Sarah and I left that the security was playing color favorites! Now, normally I would understand if it was really busy or the guard just didn't notice the man. However, there were merely three people (aside from the employees) in the bank that morning and there was no reason to miss a person coming in and going out.

My stomach turned. For the first, truly noticeable time in my life I was given preferential treatment because of the tone of my skin. And you know what? I don't like it.

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