General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: The Starbucks thing... [View all]EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)I cant say they were wrong because I dont know what I would have done in that situation - they were minding their own business only to look up and find six cops standing over them telling them to leave. They has to make a snap decision - something black folk frequently have to do in these situations. I find nothing inherently wrong with their reaction given they had every reason to believe theyd done nothing wrong.
You have to try to get in their skin for a minute and see this from their perspective not yours. These are black men in America. Black men who likely are consistently subjected to slight, abuse, assumptions, etc. Theyre assumed to be thugs, dangerous, unintelligent and worse. They have to constantly try to preserve their dignity, command respect all while protecting their bodies and souls, which can at any moment be destroyed based on a word or a pointed, accusing white finger.
So, sure, they could have just packed up and walked out. But, on the other hand, why should they? They hadnt done anything wrong - theyd never been asked to leave so how could they be accused of trespassing in a public coffeeshop? If they had left, theyd have been humiliated. They would have been humiliated in front of a white colleague who was nearby. They might have felt like sellouts, punks, for not standing up for their rights. That may not sound like a big deal, but it is.
If I were there, maybe I would have said, Just leave. But I might also have said, No. You have every right to be here. Stay in your seat until they MAKE you leave.