the tradition of blaming the victim

[1StrongBlackMan]

59. How about this one ...

A few years ago, I worked for an state Office of the Attorney General.

One morning, as I arrived to work, I met up with two of my co-workers (actually, they were my subordinates). They were Investigators that worked in the field, so they were dressed appropriately ... jeans and a polo shirts, with athletic shoes. I was dressed for the court appearance I had later in the day (actually, my attire really didn't change from day to day ... Suit, tie and shined shoes).

As we approached the elevator, there was a 30ish white guy, dressed in a (walmart special) short sleeved white shirt and a tie, ahead of us. We all got on the elevator and I being closest to the panel, pressed for our floor, and asked the guy what floor he needed; but this guy pushed passed me to press his own floor. From the button he pushed, he either worked in the mail-room or the copy-center.

Then this white guy, then, turned to me and asked what business I had on that floor, "that floor is management!"; but it was not wasted on anyone that he was challenging me - the Black guy - but not the two under-dressed, though white, others on the elevator.

I just stood there ... shocked, as my subordinates braced themselves for the fire they have known me to spit. But I was in my "court room zone" where all emotion is in check and only displayed for effect. So, having noticed what floor this guy had pressed, I told him, "That's correct. My name is 1StrongBlackMan, ask your boss to tell you the name of the Civil Rights Section Chief."

And as, the doors opened to his floor, I said: "Now, you be sure to ask because I want to be certain that you deliver my mail to the correct office."

My subordinates assured me that the guy was a jerk and that they were certain that he'd watch his mouth in the future ... I assured them that he would not, as the only thing he saw was a Black man.